Ok girls, here are the questions for discussion. Just cut and paste in the comment section so we can all see what each other has to say. There is no right or wrong way to answer, if you don't have a real feeling on the question one way or the other, just say so, that's absolutely fine! I hope you enjoyed this book, and are enjoying this so far, I know I am.
- Which character do you like the most and why?
- The least and why?
- What passage from the book stood out to you?
- Are there situations and/or characters you can identify with, if so how?
- Did you learn something you didn’t know before?
- Do you feel as if your views on a subject have changed by reading this text?
- Have you had a life changing revelation from reading this text?
- What major emotion did the story evoke in you as a reader?
- At what point in the book did you decide if you liked it or not? What helped make this decision?
- Name your favorite thing overall about the book. Your least favorite?
- If you could change something about the book what would it be and why?
- Describe what you liked or disliked about the writer’s style.
1. Which character do you like the most and why?
I really liked Tess. She was so down to earth. There was nothing uppity about her, she wasn't high maintenance and she was always there when her friends needed her. Even Francesca's hubby Nick commented on that fact, when he saw her and Ben outside the hospital.
2. The least and why?
Oh it was definitely Neil. What an obnoxious boar!! Helen just got beaten down emotionally by that jackass.
3. What passage from the book stood out to you?
Her telling Ben that they wouldn't work. That had to be the hardest thing to do when you know her heart was screaming to just give in.
4. Are there situations and/or characters you can identify with, if so how?
Oh my gosh, yes. Francesca dealing with her kids and the fact that Casper is going through such tough teen times. Not easy. It doesn't matter how old your children are, you always worry and always want to help. Her feeling like she was being pulled apart at one point is a very real reality for moms. We have such a balancing act to perform.
5. Did you learn something you didn’t know before?
Not really, just reinforced how hard it can be to say or not say things when it comes to friends. Often you are damned if you do and damned if you don't.
6. Do you feel as if your views on a subject have changed by reading this text?
No as a matter of fact they been reinforced. That was a tough call for Tess regarding Casper and keeping quiet about it. I think that was something she should have shared with her best friend since Francesca had reached out to Tess in help with him.
7. Have you had a life changing revelation from reading this text?
Oh gosh no, while it was an awesome read, life changing revelation, no I don't think so.
8. What major emotion did the story evoke in you as a reader?
A mix of emotions, at times sad and wistful, heart wrenching and at times I was laughing. It was quite a mixed bag, but I'd have to say I was wistful the most.
9. At what point in the book did you decide if you liked it or not? What helped make this decision?
I knew I liked it once the 1st chapter was done. If a book hooks me out of the gate, it's pretty much a done deal. This one was just great. Couple that with the vibrant supporting characters and I just loved it!
10. Name your favorite thing overall about the book. Your least favorite?
The friendships that were formed and lasted though all the years. I wish I had Tessa as a friend what a wonderful gift. I guess that she didn't wind up with her first love. While I understand, boy was I rooting for them!!
11. If you could change something about the book what would it be and why?
I don't think I'd change anything. I really liked it the way it was.
12. Describe what you liked or disliked about the writer’s style.
I really liked how she moved the story along. She doesn't go into overkill with details, her style is smooth and easy to read. The flow was perfect. I can't wait to read The Stepmother!
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Ok girls, have at it! I hope you're all having fun, I am : )
Our next months read is...
The Kitchen Witch
Annette Blair
Paperback 320 pgs
Berkley
Set in Old Salem around the Halloween season, this charming romantic comedy features a wacky, if good-hearted, self-proclaimed witch and her upstairs neighbor, a reformed bad boy trying to be a responsible father to his adorable four-year-old son, Shane. Needing a reliable baby sitter, Logan Kilgarven agrees to an exchange: he will find a job for Melody at the local TV station, where he is a producer, and she will be on call to baby sit Shane as needed. Melody, however, spurns his offer of a secretarial position, countering with a bid for a cooking show. The catch? Melody can't cook. At all. But with a combination of sex appeal and well-developed marketing skills, she sells the station owner on the concept, and several spicy encounters in elevators and on counters and desktops are the inevitable result. With both of them fighting their feelings, and several matchmakers as well as one marplot stirring the cauldron, Blair has crafted a fun and sexy romp.
*****
Yay, this is awesome. While it wasn't among the original choices, Julie thought in the spirit of Halloween this would work and I am STOKED!!! WTG Julie, I think we'll enjoy this!!
Okay, I am going to be a poop on this and not answer the questions! I know, I know--I really should, but in all honesty, I read the book too early in the month and I can't remember a lot of the specific details. Sorry!
ReplyDeleteNote to self: make sure and read October's selection closer to the end of the month! LOL
Awww, Julie, you don't have to answer all of em. I'd hate for you not to put your own stamp on the discussion so you can pick and choose the ?'s.
ReplyDeleteAnd just so you all know, these are the ?'s I'll use through-out the club. Not all the books we read will have book club ?'s so these were generic to any book. Feel free to keep em and when you read the selection just answer them save em and then post :)
1. Which character do you like the most and why?
ReplyDeleteI actually really liked Nick -- just for his stand-up goodness -- so steady.
2. The least and why?
Neil, for the obvious reasons, but I'll also admit that I didn't really love Tess little partying friend -- she just seemed so empty-headed to me.
3. What passage from the book stood out to you?
("I have gone over that moment in my mind a thousand times since and I swear I saw her laughing. Now I realize that I was seeing only what I expected to see. Even though I was distrustful of it at the time and would have loved to have seen something else, I couldn't. I was programmed not to. And that is why, even now, knowing what I know, my memory can only recall her laughing as Neil pulled her back inside the house." p 51-52) This stood out to me as I'm in the beginning stages of separating from my husband and several friends have apologized to me, saying that, in retrospect, they can see times when perhaps I was crying out for help and it just didn't register.
4. Are there situations and/or characters you can identify with, if so how?
More than a specific character, I really identified with the tone of regret mixed with nostalgia that, in various ways, most of the characters exhibited at one time or another. And sadly, a little bit with Helen.
5. Did you learn something you didn’t know before?
I agree with Paula -- just how very much one has to think about interactions with friends and pay attention to what they might need.
8. What major emotion did the story evoke in you as a reader?
Again, just the melancholy and regret -- and a desire to be loved for who I am. And a thankfulness for old friends.
9. At what point in the book did you decide if you liked it or not? What helped make this decision?
I'm not sure where/when I made a conscious decision, but I did like it.
10. Name your favorite thing overall about the book. Your least favorite? Hmm... I'm not sure... Oh, no, I know what my least favorite was -- Some of the mocking of parenting choices that are important to me -- breastfeeding, co-sleeping, making conscious decisions about vaccines, etc.
11. If you could change something about the book what would it be and why?
I can't think of anything...
12. Describe what you liked or disliked about the writer’s style.
I was impressed with how easy it was for me to keep the various characters straight -- I think that's prove that she developed them well.
here's a link to my review again:
http://situationswhereyoumayneedit.blogspot.com/2010/09/godmother-by-carrie-adams.html
Grr... I just finished doing all the questions and hit submit and it told me the URL was too long and I lost my whole comment.
ReplyDeleteagain girls, I have to let this go, I'm sorry for the inconvenience. Maybe at a later date :)
ReplyDelete