View Full Version : MoFo Book Club - March '22
Let's make a few changes for March...
On the 12th of March we can discuss the first half of the book, and on the 22nd we can discuss the entire book.... No Spoilers.
My Nomination: The Midnight Library
https://i.postimg.cc/4x0FSpTv/Library.jpg
The #1 New York Times bestselling WORLDWIDE phenomenon
Winner of the Goodreads Choice Award for Fiction | A Good Morning America Book Club Pick | Independent (London) Ten Best Books of the Year
"A feel-good book guaranteed to lift your spirits."—The Washington Post
The dazzling reader-favorite about the choices that go into a life well lived, from the acclaimed author of How To Stop Time and The Comfort Book.
Somewhere out beyond the edge of the universe there is a library that contains an infinite number of books, each one the story of another reality. One tells the story of your life as it is, along with another book for the other life you could have lived if you had made a different choice at any point in your life. While we all wonder how our lives might have been, what if you had the chance to go to the library and see for yourself? Would any of these other lives truly be better?
In The Midnight Library, Matt Haig's enchanting blockbuster novel, Nora Seed finds herself faced with this decision. Faced with the possibility of changing her life for a new one, following a different career, undoing old breakups, realizing her dreams of becoming a glaciologist; she must search within herself as she travels through the Midnight Library to decide what is truly fulfilling in life, and what makes it worth living in the first place.
https://www.amazon.com/Midnight-Library-Novel-Matt-Haig-ebook/dp/B085BVSXS9/ref=sr_1_1?crid=189AXS6RWTUAX&keywords=midnight+library&qid=1645383099&s=digital-text&sprefix=mid%2Cdigital-text%2C116&sr=1-1
Austruck
02-20-22, 05:21 PM
I could work with this suggestion, so I won't suggest one of my own. :D
Takoma11
02-20-22, 07:24 PM
Honestly, sounds good to me too.
MovieMad16
02-22-22, 06:33 AM
I'm in the middle of this right now so yes to this. No suggestion from me. Plus I'm still getting through the last book from Jan 22.
My nomination for March is Six Wakes by Mur Lafferty.
https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/418ru5OmuCL.jpg
From Goodreads...
A space adventure set on a lone ship where the clones of a murdered crew must find their murderer -- before they kill again.
It was not common to awaken in a cloning vat streaked with drying blood.
At least, Maria Arena had never experienced it. She had no memory of how she died. That was also new; before, when she had awakened as a new clone, her first memory was of how she died.
Maria's vat was in the front of six vats, each one holding the clone of a crew member of the starship Dormire, each clone waiting for its previous incarnation to die so it could awaken. And Maria wasn't the only one to die recently...
Sci fi mixed with a murder mystery - could be fun! Not a long books, so can easily fit into the suggested reading framework...
I am just finishing up Project Hail Mary, so I won't be submitting that one again. It was a really fun, quite cinematic page-turner for anyone interested in the genre. I also snuck in book one of The Witcher series, which was also a quick read, and quite good. Looks like I have time to sneak another quick one in before the next cycle, at which point I was get going on whatever we choose this time around.
I am just finishing up Project Hail Mary, so I won't be submitting that one again. It was a really fun, quite cinematic page-turner for anyone interested in the genre.
I was gonna say, I kinda just wanna nominate that one again on your behalf.
I was gonna say, I kinda just wanna nominate that one again on your behalf.
For the record, I am fine with people nominating and choosing books I have already read - I will just read other books until discussion them, then join in the fun! My noms will always be books I haven't read, though.
My nomination for March is Six Wakes by Mur Lafferty.
https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/418ru5OmuCL.jpg
From Goodreads...
A space adventure set on a lone ship where the clones of a murdered crew must find their murderer -- before they kill again.
It was not common to awaken in a cloning vat streaked with drying blood.
At least, Maria Arena had never experienced it. She had no memory of how she died. That was also new; before, when she had awakened as a new clone, her first memory was of how she died.
Maria's vat was in the front of six vats, each one holding the clone of a crew member of the starship Dormire, each clone waiting for its previous incarnation to die so it could awaken. And Maria wasn't the only one to die recently...
Sci fi mixed with a murder mystery - could be fun! Not a long books, so can easily fit into the suggested reading framework...
I am just finishing up Project Hail Mary, so I won't be submitting that one again. It was a really fun, quite cinematic page-turner for anyone interested in the genre. I also snuck in book one of The Witcher series, which was also a quick read, and quite good. Looks like I have time to sneak another quick one in before the next cycle, at which point I was get going on whatever we choose this time around.
Honestly, I may vote for this over my nom. I added 'Hail Mary' to my TBR list and if this doesn't win I'll add this one as well.
****Nominations will close on Thursday the 24th*****
I'm somewhat selfishly going to have to recommend books I have read or am already reading (or already own) for the first few cycles of this, simply because that's way easier for me during a particularly busy period in my life. I say this not as a nudge or threat or anything, but that's probably the only way I can plausibly participate over the next couple of these.
I look forward to things mellowing out so that I can participate regardless of that, though, once I get on the other side of a few major house/real estate things.
Noms are closed. PM me your votes. Voting closes on Monday the 28th.
MovieMad16
02-24-22, 06:02 PM
Done
Just 2 noms? Dang!
Yup..... :shrug:
Takoma11
02-24-22, 08:52 PM
Just 2 noms? Dang!
But two interesting nominations, I think.
My only real preference was that we do something fiction, so I'm good with either.
Austruck
02-25-22, 11:42 PM
I was going to read The Midnight Library soon anyway, so I started it today, whether it's our March entry or not. :D
Ok, voting is closed and the winner is...
https://i.postimg.cc/J4TLCPvh/march.jpg (https://postimages.org/)
A tie......
I suggest we read both. Midnight Library in March and Six Wakes in April.
Is everyone ok with that?
Austruck
02-28-22, 02:36 PM
I'm confused about your tallying. What's with multiple votes? I voted just once, for one book. :)
Already started reading The Midnight Library, so... yay me! :D
I'm confused about your tallying. What's with multiple votes? I voted just once, for one book. :)
Already started reading The Midnight Library, so... yay me! :D
It's the same system from last month. Since there only two noms, by default your second choice was whichever book you didn't vote for.
Austruck
02-28-22, 03:22 PM
It's the same system from last month. Since there only two noms, by default your second choice was whichever book you didn't vote for.
Way to go, keeping it slightly more complicated than it needs to be! By any chance are you an engineer? :D
Way to go, keeping it slightly more complicated than it needs to be! By any chance are you an engineer? :D
Just trying to be consistent.
If you look at the votes you'll see it would have been a tie either way.
The real issue here is the lack of nominations imo.
Austruck
02-28-22, 03:47 PM
Just trying to be consistent.
If you look at the votes you'll see it would have been a tie either way.
The real issue here is the lack of nominations imo.
I'm just hassling you. :D
I *could* have dredged up a few noms, but since your initial nomination was something already on my TBR list, I felt I had no reason to add to yours. :D
MovieMad16
03-01-22, 04:23 AM
I've got Midnight Library so I'll make a start on that today and get as far as I possibly can with it.
Oh shit! My gamble that Six Wakes would win failed - I am already halfway through it!
I will order the other book today and get started on it asap!
EDIT: Book is on the way - will arrive tomorrow, allegedly!
Austruck
03-01-22, 04:54 PM
Oh shit! My gamble that Six Wakes would win failed - I am already halfway through it!
I will order the other book today and get started on it asap!
EDIT: Book is on the way - will arrive tomorrow, allegedly!
It's not a super-long book so, for you, it shouldn't be a hardship to breeze right through it! :D
MovieMad16
03-01-22, 05:51 PM
One day in and I'm already on Page 167.
My word what a read. Really smashing story. Inspiring and fun too. A great concept also with the library and all the possibilities it brings.
Won't go deep into spoilers until I've finished.
But, Wow!!! So happy this was picked.
Won't go deep into spoilers until I've finished.
Don't forget that on the 12th you can discuss the first half, spoiler free, and on the 22nd the entire book.
MovieMad16
03-01-22, 07:29 PM
Ah no worries then. I'll leave it all bubbling in my head until the 22nd.
One day in and I'm already on Page 167.
My word what a read. Really smashing story. Inspiring and fun too. A great concept also with the library and all the possibilities it brings.
Won't go deep into spoilers until I've finished.
But, Wow!!! So happy this was picked.
Wasn't able to start reading this until today. Totally agree with you on this. I'm on page 152 and completely engrossed.... Loving it!
Looking forward to some lively conversation of the first half on the 12th :)
Guess I am the odd man out here, as I just cannot abide this main character. I won't go into detail until the 12th, but suffice to say, I won't be giving this a glowing review!
Currently on page 220.
Takoma11
03-07-22, 05:21 PM
Guess I am the odd man out here, as I just cannot abide this main character. I won't go into detail until the 12th, but suffice to say, I won't be giving this a glowing review!
Currently on page 220.
I haven't started the book yet (I just got an e-mail that my library got it today!). But I realized why Haig's name sounded familiar: I read his book How To Stop Time last year. I was pretty mixed on it, with a neat premise but some clumsy execution. Interested to see how this book compares.
I haven't started the book yet (I just got an e-mail that my library got it today!). But I realized why Haig's name sounded familiar: I read his book How To Stop Time last year. I was pretty mixed on it, with a neat premise but some clumsy execution. Interested to see how this book compares.
Sounds about right! ;)
Guess I am the odd man out here, as I just cannot abide this main character. I won't go into detail until the 12th, but suffice to say, I won't be giving this a glowing review!
Currently on page 220.
While I agree, to some extent, regarding the main character, that's not what drives the narrative in this novel imo. It's the theme. The possibility. The 'What if'. I think to some extent the main character must be what they are to tell this story.
Austruck
03-08-22, 01:44 AM
While I agree, to some extent, regarding the main character, that's not what drives the narrative in this novel imo. It's the theme. The possibility. The 'What if'. I think to some extent the main character must be what they are to tell this story.
I'm about halfway through. I also really dislike the main character for a lot of reasons, but I see your point. You almost need this sort of character in order for the main premise to work.
MY issues so far are actually with that main premise. More later... once I finish. :D
While I agree, to some extent, regarding the main character, that's not what drives the narrative in this novel imo. It's the theme. The possibility. The 'What if'. I think to some extent the main character must be what they are to tell this story.
Of course, exactly ONE page later, on page 221, the book began to rectify one of my main issues with the approach to the main theme. I finished up this morning, and my opinion of the book has gone up at least somewhat.
More later when we get to the discussion break.
I am going to continue on with Six Wakes now, which I must also report has been just OK so far. Definitely not blowing me away, anyway.
thracian dawg
03-08-22, 12:29 PM
I did like the nod to “It’s a Wonderful life”, which may have the source inspiration for the book. She lives in Bedford (Falls) and the album she releases in her rock star life is entitled Pottersville.
I did like the nod to “It’s a Wonderful life”, which may have the source inspiration for the book. She lives in Bedford (Falls) and the album she releases in her rock star life is entitled Pottersville.
I caught that, as well. I took the two main influences to this book to be It's a Wonderful Life and Richard Bach's The Bridge Across Forever, from which the author borrows/lifts a couple of concepts wholesale.
I did like the nod to “It’s a Wonderful life”, which may have the source inspiration for the book. She lives in Bedford (Falls) and the album she releases in her rock star life is entitled Pottersville.
Also, in that same life her ex's last name was 'Bailey'.....
Feel free to discuss the first half of the book spoiler free.
As I inferred earlier, I was not over the moon for the first half of the book, although I never considered putting it into the DNF pile or anything. It's mostly just me, as I do not relate to books or films that examine anxiety or depression, as I have luckily never been the type of person to struggle with those problems. I would be curious to hear what people who did/do cope with depression feel about the approach of this book, and if it was helpful or not with their own struggles.
For the most part, I found the main character to be really off-putting and I didn't enjoy reading about her in the first half of the book. The library was a good idea, and some of the lives were interesting, but I kept wondering why she didn't chose a particular life, which I felt might give her the result she was looking for. I have to be vague here, because the book does eventually go there, and I liked that particular story thread enough for the book to go up in quality in my estimation. I will comment more on that when we hit the final discussion.
I will say that this author borrows heavily from Richard Bach's The Bridge Across Forever, and that kept pulling me out of the proceedings from time to time. Like Bach's book, this veers off into a sort of pseudo self-help territory that I found slightly annoying at times. I felt the same reading Bach, to be fair. Again though, I am sure others might get a lot more from this, and perhaps even gain some insight or strategy on how to cope with some serious problems in their life, which I only see as a good thing.
As I said upstream, at the halfway point I was loving the book. While I was put off a bit by the main character, I saw her as necessary for the story and easily got past her many flaws. I was really excited when she got to the library.
Then, shortly after the halfway point, something clicked and I was able to predict the ending long before I finished the book. More on that on the 22nd. :)
Austruck
03-12-22, 02:02 PM
I've finished the book too. Gonna be hard to wait till the 22nd to discuss it, though. :D
By the time I finished (without spoilers), my main feeling was that this felt completely derivative and not at all clever beyond the very basic idea of the library itself. The whole ending felt like the author simply was preaching at us and laying out his entire theme by just outright writing it. Like he was afraid we wouldn't be able to figure it out on our own through the story and plot points.
Frankly, I'm glad this book wasn't any longer than it was. I was beginning to get annoyed at the author's inability to cloak ANYTHING he was trying to say with this book. :D
By the time I finished (without spoilers), my main feeling was that this felt completely derivative and not at all clever beyond the very basic idea of the library itself.
Bingo!
Frankly, I'm glad this book wasn't any longer than it was. I was beginning to get annoyed at the author's inability to cloak ANYTHING he was trying to say with this book. :D
Bingo again!
Takoma11
03-12-22, 06:41 PM
So I read the first half this morning, and like many of you, I'm finding this to be a poor man's version of another book I like very much.
Have any of you read Life After Life? It's a book by Kate Atkinson wherein we see many of the different variations that one woman's life takes. Every time she dies, she starts over again, sometimes not making it past birth, other times making it to old age. Sometimes she seems to carry some knowledge from one life to the next, while other times she repeats the same mistake over and over.
I particularly loved Life After Life, so The Midnight Library is definitely suffering by comparison.
I do like the concept, though I have some really serious nitpicks about the execution, like for example the way that she goes into each new life totally naive. What?! So if this new version of herself had learned a language, Nora would now just NOT know that language?! This would seriously disrupt her life, no? How would you react if someone you knew suddenly didn't know your name? Suddenly didn't speak a language? You would think that person was having a serious medical or mental health emergency!
And we are also supposed to believe that each of the lives is actually a real life being lived by an alternate Nora. And yet our Nora just keeps blundering into their lives and making changes like breaking up their marriages or blowing a major event..
I do not take any anti-depressant medications or any other medications to manage anxiety or mental health, but I know a lot of lovely people whose lives have been vastly improved by them. So I find it really distressing that the book keeps using anti-depressant medication as a shorthand for "this person's life has gone horribly wrong!!!".
It's frustrating, because my current feeling (at page 150) is that this is a neat concept that's getting a very pedestrian execution. And that for all the conversation about what happiness or success looks like, those themes are being addressed really superficially in the text.
I do like the idea (not explored as well as I'd prefer!) that it's important to analyze regrets. That some regrets may be unfounded, and that sometimes we take on the burden of guilt in a situation where we are actually blameless. I also like the idea that we can sometimes elevate people or possibilities in our heads because we sort of filter out the doubts we had at the time. For example, when Nora suddenly realizes that Dan always had a little bit of a mean streak and didn't like it when she was more accomplished than he was, and that he's always oriented their relationship around what he wanted. That Nora had built him up at her "chance at love", but that he wasn't maybe the person she thought he was.
Finally, I appreciate the small acknowledgement that some regrets can be in flux, like having or not having kids. I feel that truth deep in my childless bones.
Takoma11
03-13-22, 08:49 PM
I'm also now done with the book (finished it last night---it's been a while since I read a whole book in one day!).
I think that my opinion of it is basically the same as how I felt when I was halfway through it.
I'll not say any more until the 22nd, but my general feelings about the plot and the writing didn't change.
I think MovieMad is the only one that hasn't checked in yet. When he does, and if he's finished, I think we should move the date up for whole book discussion.
Any objection?
Austruck
03-14-22, 04:19 AM
I think MovieMad is the only one that hasn't checked in yet. When he does, and if he's finished, I think we should move the date up for whole book discussion.
Any objection?
I was going to ask if we've all finished it. No sense in hanging around till the 22nd if we're all finished. Where's moviemad then? :D
I am fining with accelerating the discussion if everyone is finished!
MovieMad16
Hi, could you let us know where you are in the book currently?
MovieMad16
03-17-22, 07:17 AM
Finished it ages ago. Sorry, haha.
Yeah, loved the book. Great story. Great central character. Couldn't be happier.
Ok.... lets discuss!
I was disappointed overall. Not that I thought is was bad, just disappointed by the lack of nuance and 'straight line' progression of the story.
I was most disappointed by the fact that what I initially took to be a nod to 'It's a Wonderful Life' was in fact foreshadowing. That realization allowed me to know the ending with right at 100 pages remaining.... ugh! I think that people not familiar with the movie will enjoy this book much more than I did. The only thing this book didn't take from the movie was Zuzu's petals. :shrug:
I gave it 3 stars out of 5 and would only recommend it to those not familiar with the movie.
Ok.... lets discuss!
This was a cocktail of other ideas from other works. I understand that nothing is new under the sun, but for instance, to lift not only the chess analogy from The Bridge Across Forever, but to also casually compare life to the movements of a symphony just drilled it home that this guy was channeling Bach, who in his book dedicated a chapter comparing chess and the movements of a symphony to life.
My main issue for most of the book was that she wasn't trying out a life dedicated to family, which just seemed like a glaring blind spot up until she finally chose to do so. Then she was actually happy! I did like that she figured out she couldn't just take that life, and I think this exact decision point in the book is why the author chose to give her a sort of pseudo-amnesia, which obviously has its own problem if I read other opinions correctly re: that mechanic.
While I also saw the ending coming a mile away, when I try to look at it objectively, as a sort of retelling of It's a Wonderful Life with a focus on depression, I think I can see how it might be helpful to a fairly large portion of the reading world at large.
This book lacked finesse, was derivative, and the author came across as kind of a hack. I know I shouldn't compare random authors to wordsmith's like Thomas Wolfe or Ray Bradbury, but I read them both recently, which tended to magnify the shortcomings of this guy. I think I mentioned it before, but there are good writers and good storytellers, and I don't think this fellow made the grade in either case.
I am going to go with a 2_5 for an interesting premise and stronger last third, filmic derivations aside.
This book lacked finesse, was derivative, and the author came across as kind of a hack.
I did enjoy some of the philosophy quotes, but in the end they seemed nothing more than platitudes better suited for a Hallmark card, a coffee mug or perhaps stitched on a throw pillow.
Harsh, I know, but such is my level of disappointment.
Austruck
03-17-22, 01:42 PM
If this hadn't been a book with more than 142,000 (!!) high ratings on Amazon since September 2020, I might not have been quite so disappointed. With numbers like that (astronomical!), I expected to be completely wowed.
I was not.
Almost nothing about this story felt original or clever. At no point did I think, "Oh, that's a clever take on this premise!" Even when she zaps into the family with Ash and is temporarily happy, I wasn't impressed. It almost *had* to go there after hitting so many clear dead ends before this point.
It felt a lot like a bad derivative form of It's a Wonderful Life (without much of the humor or delightful moments strewn around) and even The Wizard of Oz (there's no place like home...). The themes are all so similar. But those two movies had so many clever, interesting, endearing moments that could have carried them even without the main concept.
This book? Not so much.
Throughout, but toward the end especially, the author was quite preachy, and seemed to take the shortcut of just TELLING us what his big point was rather than letting the story and plot teach us more subtly. (Fair enough, though, both the movies above had moments like that at the tail end, but they were brief and were not the main way the stories unfolded.)
"What? You don't quite know what I'm trying to tell you? Then here! Let me whap you over the head with it for the last hundred pages! That'll teach ya!"
:D
I was at least pleased to see this book wasn't any longer than it was. :D The only real point of empathy for me was when Volts died. :D Go figure.
Austruck
03-17-22, 01:44 PM
Oh, I'll add this. I DID like the small twist when Hugo showed up. I didn't really see that coming (but I should have, as a fan of the Outlander series), and it was an interesting twist that I felt the author just let die a quiet death without being properly explored and exploited.
If this hadn't been a book with more than 142,000 (!!) high ratings on Amazon since September 2020, I might not have been quite so disappointed. With numbers like that (astronomical!), I expected to be completely wowed.
I'll go ya one better... On Goodreads this book was the 2020 readers choice winner in fiction and has over. 870,000 ratings with a 4.06 average.
How on earth?
Oh, I'll add this. I DID like the small twist when Hugo showed up. I didn't really see that coming (but I should have, as a fan of the Outlander series), and it was an interesting twist that I felt the author just let die a quiet death without being properly explored and exploited.
Agreed 100%
When I made my only post at the halfway point, Hugo had just showed up and I was certain we were in for a wild ride. Then it just fizzled away.
Austruck
03-17-22, 01:58 PM
I'll go ya one better... On Goodreads this book was the 2020 readers choice winner in fiction and has over. 870,000 ratings with a 4.06 average.
How on earth?
As an author, I can tell you that Goodreads ratings can be FAR more brutal than Amazon's, so I find this particularly astounding. Where's the appeal?
The only thing I can think of, off the top of my head, is that it was a smooth, easy read. Get in, get out, nobody gets hurt. Nothing taxed the system, and the reader was easily spoon-fed the story AND its theme. I suppose in this day and age of instant gratification, that alone might account for the book's appeal.
Sadly, I must report the Six Wakes shares the whole "bad author" problem.
It says on the front cover that it was a runner-up for the Hugo award. Must have been an off year, or that awards panel is now full of insipid jack wagons.
Takoma11
03-17-22, 08:30 PM
Throughout, but toward the end especially, the author was quite preachy, and seemed to take the shortcut of just TELLING us what his big point was rather than letting the story and plot teach us more subtly.
I think that the author was slightly backed into a corner, because the character is "alone" all the time unless she's in the library. So everything is either presented as internal musings OR we get scene after scene of her literally giving speeches (the TED Talk, the Podcast, etc) explaining her philosophy.
I personally wasn't that charged by Hugo's arrival because, for heaven's sake, what are the odds that on her, what, third trip she ends up on a boat with a handful of people and one of them is also a dying person who just happens to be in that life at the moment? It felt like such a stretch and it really didn't feel as if he added anything to the story.
This was very much my experience with this author's past book. Interesting idea but poor execution. For example, in the life where she goes to Australia, her friend is dead in a car crash. Like, what?! This is why it's the wrong life? It feels like a huge cheat to say "a life in Australia was clearly wrong for you because if you go you'll get really depressed when your best friend dies." It also felt kind of goofy that we're supposed to believe that this woman had the potential to be both a major rock star AND an Olympic athlete. I continued to be disappointed by the use of anti-depressants as shorthand that a life was "bad".
Like I said before, both the book Life After Life and even the YA novel Every Day cover similar territory in a more interesting and much better written way. (I'd highly recommend both books).
Sadly, I must report the Six Wakes shares the whole "bad author" problem.
I'm halfway through Six Wakes, and while the writing is a bit clunky, I'm enjoying it a lot more than Midnight Library, at least so far. We'll see how all the threads come together and if my current theory about what's happening is correct.
I did just finish reading a really strong fantasy book (Vita Nostra--strongly recommended), so there's kind of a higher standard in my brain right now!
I'm halfway through Six Wakes, and while the writing is a bit clunky, I'm enjoying it a lot more than Midnight Library, at least so far. We'll see how all the threads come together and if my current theory about what's happening is correct.
I just finished it. It had its good points, but I did feel the author was just sort of a poor writer. Like you said, it's clunky. It's almost like I am reading some sort of fan fiction blog on the internet or something. Also, one of the concepts that is kind of spoilery, reminded me of a mechanic in another, far superior book. Maybe I read too much? *Shrugs*
Since it is still March and I have already finished the April book, I am going to dive into a big tome I have had waiting in the wings in an attempt to get at least part of the way through it.
thracian dawg
03-19-22, 03:30 PM
There is a lot of missing humor in the book. Once it was clear she doesn’t have any of the skill sets needed for these advanced vocations or even the emotional vocabulary for an intimate life, I thought he was setting up a comic romp. The serial sequence of her being a wrecking ball, sabotaging life after life would have been hilarious. You are complaining about this life? Look at the destruction you are leaving behind. I was also expecting the killer chapter, where she sits down to dinner with her young family and after several double takes and pregnant pauses . . . everyone puts down the knives and forks and stares at her. Okay, who are you? You obviously have no clue what we are talking about. What have you done with my wife? Yeah, you’re not my mommy! You’re a body snatcher! Not to be.
The rock star chapter is illustrative of how completely passive the writing was. She jumps into the superstar life after the concert and only has the encore to sing; what if she had been drop kicked into that life stepping out of a private jet the morning of, then finding out she had to fake the entire concert later that night . . . now that would have been dramatic. Also returning afterwards to her hotel and the penthouse suite and discovering a boyfriend (her famous movie star/philosopher boyfriend) was lounging on her bed waiting for her, now that would have been much more compelling. Instead, we get an uninteresting phone call after their fling and he is just calling her to check-up on how she is coping with their break-up. Weak.
The intrigue was almost nonexistent. Essentially, this is a woman who goes to work, is fired, goes home, has a bottle of wine, mixes in a handful of pills, then passes out for what . . . 87 seconds? Then waking up . . . Oh good grief! Did I just swallow a handful of pills? I better call 911 . . . she drops her phone and loses it and has to stumble next door dramatically (the author doesn’t even do this right, she should have passed out the lawn or on his porch steps . . . with the realization she was totally screwed) then she wakes up in the hospital, the neighbor having miraculously discovered her just in time. The revelation she wants to live doesn’t come from all those jumps, but the overdose scare.
The Midnight Library —★ 1/2
Austruck
03-19-22, 03:36 PM
thracian dawg ... You were a little more blunt than I was, but you said it better. Totally agree. Still can't explain the hundreds of thousands of great ratings, though!
Totally agree. Still can't explain the hundreds of thousands of great ratings, though!
Given the glowing reviews, what I find interesting is that all of us panned this book save one.
I've had good luck with numerous Goodreads Choice Awards winners in the past. I just can't explain the appeal of this book to so many people.
thracian dawg
I hope you will become an active member of our little book club. Your insight is appreciated.
Takoma11
03-19-22, 10:40 PM
thracian dawg ... You were a little more blunt than I was, but you said it better. Totally agree. Still can't explain the hundreds of thousands of great ratings, though!
I think that sometimes when a book gets good word of mouth and momentum, there is a kind of pressure to agree with that acclaim. Like, this was a Good Morning America book.
At the risk of sounding horribly snobby, I'd imagine that someone who doesn't read much would probably like this book a lot more than we did. What we find to be recycled elements might be fresh to a less prolific reader. And frankly, the way that the author keeps spelling out his message via easily-digestible 4-paragraph speeches means that you don't have to do any inferencing about what it all means, so this isn't a book that risks a reader feeling like they don't "get it". Burn your book of regrets. Live a better life starting now. It's green. It's still green.
Austruck
03-20-22, 12:58 AM
Yes, Takoma11, I think you have something there. Even as I was reading it, before people in this thread starting posting their opinions, I was thinking, "What's the big deal about this book? Is everyone else loving this story? It's not grabbing me." I was relieved to start reading others here who felt the same way. Maybe I've been reading too many 1,000-page novels lately. :D Those don't have to be in a hurry to tell you ANYTHING. :D
I think that sometimes when a book gets good word of mouth and momentum, there is a kind of pressure to agree with that acclaim. Like, this was a Good Morning America book.
I do think there is a large amount of this happening. A form of 'peer pressure' if you will. No one wants to be seen as being negative despite the whole point is to give your 'honest' opinion. :shrug:
At the risk of sounding horribly snobby, I'd imagine that someone who doesn't read much would probably like this book a lot more than we did. What we find to be recycled elements might be fresh to a less prolific reader.
There is some of this as well, I'm sure. But given the almost one million glowing reviews between Amazon and Goodreads I'd have to think it is a small percentage overall. Especially among the Goodreads crowd. But who knows.
Wait, isn't this the book snob thread?
Of course we are all snobs. That's why we show up! ;)
Are we just diving right into the next book at this point? No need to wait until April if all are ready...
Takoma11
03-21-22, 05:09 PM
Wait, isn't this the book snob thread?
Of course we are all snobs. That's why we show up! ;)
LOL. I was trying to be clear that it's more about the quantity that someone has read. For example, I've seen kids totally captivated by pretty inert Harry Potter knock-off books and then I suddenly realize, oh, this is the first time they've encountered the idea of "normal kid suddenly learns they are special and is taken away to a strange school."
Are we just diving right into the next book at this point? No need to wait until April if all are ready...
I'm done with Six Wakes and ready to discuss it whenever.
Austruck
03-21-22, 08:43 PM
Wait, is Six Wakes officially the next book then?
Someday we'll discuss a book I already own. :D
Wait, is Six Wakes officially the next book then?
Someday we'll discuss a book I already own. :D
Yes. As a result of the tie in voting.
..............................
I think most of us here now are avid readers that have no problem reading 3, 4, 5 or more, books a month. Generally speaking that makes us the minority imo. Most people, due to other responsibilities (marriage, children, work, time, desire etc.,,), just can't/don't want to read that much. I would hate to exclude them from the club by making them feel they can't keep up or causing them to just give up.
For those reasons I'd prefer we just stick to one book a month.
BUT - It's not my call, this is our club and not mine. I'd like to hear from everyone on this issue so we can arrive at a consensus.
Takoma11
03-21-22, 09:21 PM
I think most of us here now are avid readers that have no problem reading 3, 4, 5 or more, books a month. Generally speaking that makes us the minority imo. Most people, due to other responsibilities (marriage, children, work, time, desire etc.,,), just can't/don't want to read that much. I would hate to exclude them from the club by making them feel they can't keep up or causing them to just give up.
For those reasons I'd prefer we just stick to one book a month.
I really don't mind waiting. While I am a passionate reader, this year I have woefully overcommitted myself at work and until this book club started, I was reading about 10 pages a night, meaning it was taking me like a month to get through a single book. The last three books I've read have gone fast because they are more like page-turners and on the shorter side (just about 300 pages).
I also don't want anyone to feel left behind or like they have to work at a pace that sucks the fun out of things or that makes them feel like they aren't a "real reader" if they can't keep up.
Maybe we could keep the April date, but get a declaration from everyone who intends to read the book. That way if everyone is done we can discuss a bit ahead of schedule. The only thing that doesn't make sense to me is if we are waiting on people who aren't actually planning to read it.
Maybe we could keep the April date, but get a declaration from everyone who intends to read the book. That way if everyone is done we can discuss a bit ahead of schedule. The only thing that doesn't make sense to me is if we are waiting on people who aren't actually planning to read it.
My only issue with getting a 'declaration' is, quite simply, 'Life Happens'. I don't want to add any pressure or guilt to someone who had a family emergency the day after making that declaration. Nor do I want them to feel awkward about returning to the club after the dust settles.
I have no problem with early discussion when all have reached various milestones. Perhaps members could post "Halfway through" or "Finished" so we can more easily know when we could have early discussions.
ETA: Also, it would be helpful for members to post "Move on without me" if they're unable to finish for any reason.
Austruck
03-21-22, 09:52 PM
Okay, I'll go grab Six Wakes. I also prefer we stick to one book a month... because I'm always reading multiple books at the same time. The books we read here are always just one in the pile. :)
Takoma11
03-21-22, 10:38 PM
My only issue with getting a 'declaration' is, quite simply, 'Life Happens'. I don't want to add any pressure or guilt to someone who had a family emergency the day after making that declaration. Nor do I want them to feel awkward about returning to the club after the dust settles.
Not at all. I don't mean people have to be locked in, just that it would be good for us to get a sense of who is in for each round of the club.
I don't think any of us would hold it against someone who said they'd read a book then had to come in and say, "Hey, this last month has been a doozy and I won't get it read in time."
But I do think it's good to know who is on the "currently reading list". If everyone who plans to read the book is done early, it seems silly to wait for a due date.
Yes. As a result of the tie in voting.
..............................
I think most of us here now are avid readers that have no problem reading 3, 4, 5 or more, books a month. Generally speaking that makes us the minority imo. Most people, due to other responsibilities (marriage, children, work, time, desire etc.,,), just can't/don't want to read that much. I would hate to exclude them from the club by making them feel they can't keep up or causing them to just give up.
For those reasons I'd prefer we just stick to one book a month.
BUT - It's not my call, this is our club and not mine. I'd like to hear from everyone on this issue so we can arrive at a consensus.
That's a fair point, even if I am one of those married with a small child types! :P
I am more of a slow and steady wins the race type of reader, making time to read every single day.
Anyway, I am fine with one discussion per month, even if i am reading more than that! :)
<female computer voice> Consensus achieved </>
:D
thracian dawg
03-22-22, 02:56 PM
Now all you have to do is set up a regular monthly selection process.
For instance, the first week of the month: suggestions and nominations.
The second week choosing the sucker.
Then two weeks to find a copy and read it.
This way, while discussing the latest, you are setting up the next book in the pipeline.
Now all you have to do is set up a regular monthly selection process.
For instance, the first week of the month: suggestions and nominations.
The second week choosing the sucker.
Then two weeks to find a copy and read it.
This way, while discussing the latest, you are setting up the next book in the pipeline.
We actually do the nominations and voting before the month starts. That way on the first everyone can be ready.
Austruck
03-22-22, 11:22 PM
My copy of Six Wakes arrives on the 29th. I opted for print because it was actually cheaper than the Kindle edition (!), so I have to wait till it arrives. :)
My copy of Six Wakes arrives on the 29th. I opted for print because it was actually cheaper than the Kindle edition (!), so I have to wait till it arrives. :)
No problem! I won't post the April thread until the 1st.
Austruck
03-28-22, 03:00 PM
Yay, my copy of Six Wakes showed up over the weekend. I'm already several chapters in and really enjoying it. I must say, space/sci-fi is NOT my genre at all, but this book has been surprisingly easy to slip into. (Usually I struggle with these types of stories until I'm at least 100 pages in.) So, my hat's off to the author for making the story accessible right from the get-go. So far, so good. Will keep reading till the April thread goes up here at the end of the week.
vBulletin® v3.8.0, Copyright ©2000-2025, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.