YA Today Book Club discussion

Okay everyone, I hope everyone had a wonderful thanksgiving!
Now it is time to discuss The Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson! (And if you didn't already see, Destined by Jessie Harrell is our next book.)

I personally really liked the book but I did find certain parts quite scary. It was a very easy read, I definitely read it in one night.
I really liked the MC, definitely no complaints there.

I am a fan of Rory's Love interest, also. Sweet kid but kind of mysterious as well.
(what was his name? I read the book like 3 weeks ago and I no longer have it with me...)

I noticed some people found the story scary while others different, who all was scared and who wasn't?

Who were your favorite characters?
Are there any characters you hope play a larger role in the next books?

Okay everyone, discuss away! :)

I loved Rory! She was so spunky and cute. I don't remember the love interest's name either (Jarrod, maybe?), but I do hope to see more of Steven. I'm actually hoping for a potential love triangle. :D I liked Rory's LI just fine, but he is a little forgettable. ;)

The idea of the book scared me a little, but I've been immersed in horror lately, so I wasn't terribly disturbed. It was just creepy to me. I think the humor in MJ's writing tempered it well. I also liked the explanation for why people are able to see ghosts.

My favorite characters were Rory and the other Shades of London. I really hope to see a lot more of Steven.

I cannot wait to see what becomes of Rory with her new special powers.

I didn't expect to like this book so much, but I really enjoyed it. Liked Rory--in fact her family sounded so interesting, I sometimes wished we got to see them. I liked the Jack the Ripper stuff. Jerome was the love interest, and he was whatever, but I'm kinda hoping Stephen might turn into one in the next book. The confrontation in the tunnel was a little long. It seemed like in a situation like that, the villian wouldn't go on for quite that long, but I did want the history & don't know how else we'd get it. Still, I thought it was great.

I would describe the book as intense, not scary. I really liked the other Shades too, and hope to see more about them & what happens now that Rory seems to be the only terminus left.

Did only 3 of us read this book? Well I guess finding the person choosing January's book won't be hard. Haha thanks for participating girls and I'm glad you guys really liked this one!

I finally finished the book today! A little belated, but so be it.

I definitely loved Rory. I thought she was the perfect combination of spunky smarts. And the twist of her being able to see ghosts was great-I had no idea that was coming. I also loved Jazza, she seems like an awesome friend. I want a Jazza in my life.

I agree with Cindi, in that it was intense but not necessarily scary. When Rory first started seeing ghosts I definitely was getting creeped out though! One night I had to put the book down and read something lighter, so I wouldn't fall asleep with freaky images in my brain. But the humor definitely helped combat the creeps. The perfect style of ghost story: a little bit creepy and a little bit funny. And fun characters to go on the ride with!

Hey if anyone is running late, still continue to discuss! There is no time limit on discussions if the month has ended. However if anyone wants to be considered to pick January's books, you must have your post in the discussion by Friday.
Thanks girls!

It looks as though to each of us Rory was a hit. I also want a Jazza!
I think the part that scared the crap out of me was when he pulled her out of the dance. As they were walking I was like "HESGONNAKILLYOUUUUUU" and freaking out a little. haha

I was freaked out by the fact that ghosts could go kinda corporeal and able to touch people. That was soooo creepy. And that part with the "Ripper" and Boo... *shudders*

I didn't say it before, but the way MJ describes the people is Louisiana has so much truth to it. I don't know what she did for her research, but she nailed the South Louisiana post-Katrina behavior. And yes, a lot of people are like her quirky kinfolk. It's always fun to see your home turf in a book. :)

I just finishing reading the book. I know, I lagged on reading it. But I have to say it was ready a good read. I loved Rory! And I too would prefer her with Stephen.

It was funny how when Boo appeared in the story, I thought "this girl is going to seriously get hurt" and I was right. I felt blind sided when at the Boo and Ripper scene. That part gave me a scare.

I can't wait for the next book to come out now.

Hey all,
I was wondering if someone might want to volunteer to head up this month's discussion? I probably won't get the book until after the discussion has started.
Let me know,
All you have to do is talk a little about what you thought and ask a few questions. You don't have to start the discussion on Christmas day of course, but try for the day after.
That is all!
Let me know if you can help me!

I haven't read the book yet myself but I can have it read by then and get the questions and everything in order by then. So I could help you out.

I have now convinced my husband to let me go ahead and order it, instead of get it for a Christmas present, but Alisha if you have the book read by then, please go ahead and start the discussion for me! I am playing catch up this month on sift book reviews anyways so it'd be a huge help. Thanks! :)

No problem, Kayelee. This book is also part of my read a book a day in December. So I will have it read by then. Thanks.

I think I'm finally caught up with the discussions and the reading! Yay!

I didn't know what to expect at all with this book, being that I had never read anything Maureen Johnson before this book. So I kind of drove in blind. But nonetheless I enjoyed the book.

I definitely loved the main character Rory and found myself relating to her situation of starting at a new school and making new friends. I've been there being in a military family. As for Jerome, Rory's love interest, I liked him as well. That fact that he was keeping up with all of the Rippermania and the myths and telling Rory about it. He was okay in my book.

The overall feel of the story, I will agree with some of the other members above that it had a creepy vibe going on, but if that is what Maureen was going for then she was successful. It wasn't really scary for me, but there was one part of the story where they were discussing the book of revelation and "Wormwood". I had to put the book down after that section for a little bit, mainly because I just watched an episode of Dexter and they were discussing the Doomsday killer and how that was one of the ways that he was suppose to go about the process of the end of the world. So that freaked me out a little bit. But I couldn't stay away for long, because I wanted to know what happened next.

I think my favorite characters were Rory, Jazza, and the "Ghost police". That was a interesting twist to the story.

I actually wondered if there was going to be another book that would sequel this one. If there is I would like to see more of Rory's part, and more of the History behind the Ghost police, how were they started in the first place? I mean I understand how they started from what was said in the story but how do the people before them know about ghosts and such. I just wanted to know more about the ghost police.

Overall, I really enjoyed reading Maureen Johnson's book and look forward to reading some of her other books.

I feel like there's going to be a sequel to this one - not sure if I read it on her twitter, or if the title of the book on Amazon included a "Book #1 in Series," or if I'm straight-up just making this idea up. But the way this story ended, with Rory being able to eliminate ghosts herself, just screams for a sequel.

Or maybe that's just me. I'm pretty sure I gasped when Rory touched the ghost, and now I'm really hoping for a continuation.

I hadn't read any of Maureen Johnson's books before either! (Actually, I might have read one of hers before, but I'm pretty sure it was a good 8 years ago so that doesn't count.) I followed her on twitter, but she tweets too much for me to follow now :) I'm looking forward to (eventually) reading some of her other books.

Katherine, Agreed. I follow Maureen on Twitter as well, and I look forward to reading some more of her other books.