Vicky’s Comments (group member since Jun 24, 2020)

Vicky’s comments from the Random Reads group.

Hey all! I just wanted to say that I haven’t done chapter or discussion breakdowns for this book because there are literally no chapter breaks or anything in the book! It’s been a while since I came across a book that does this (and it’s definitely not my fav 🙄). So I think I’m going to save my thoughts for the end so I don’t spoil things for everyone. Apologies! I just didn’t know how to break it down with so many different editions out there.

PS I started the audiobook today and I love it so far!

Hey everybody! Bobbi and I have chosen our next read and I'm super excited about it! We'll be reading Dolores Claiborne by Stephen King, which was the first Stephen King book I ever read! I first read it when I was in sixth grade, so I'm really curious to see what I think about it now that I'm an adult. Here's the synopsis:

Suspected of killing Vera Donovan, her wealthy employer, Dolores Claiborne tells police the story of her life, harkening back to her disintegrating marriage and the suspicious death of her violent husband, Joe St. George, thirty years earlier. Dolores also tells of Vera's physical and mental decline and of her loyalty to an employer who has become emotionally demanding in recent years.

I remember loving Dolores as a character, and just really loving this book. I hope you'll join us! We start the read on June 1st and have until July 31st to finish. Take care!

I totally forgot to check in for the middle section ooops! Lol Anyway, I finished and I really liked it! It reminded me a little bit of Malibu Rising which I also really liked. The Delaneys were interesting, as dysfunctional as they were, and though I wouldn’t call them likeable all of the time they grew on me. This story definitely was a bit lighter in the end, though it teased me thinking it was going to go to a dark place. Everything sort of wrapped up nicely which I thought was fine. That little twist at the end regarding Savannah was a little 😳 and dark, but otherwise things were pretty tame. I definitely got sucked into all the family drama and even the tennis stuff was interesting to me, though I have absolutely no interest in the sport. So overall a good read! I’m giving it 4 stars. I hope you all are enjoying the read and can’t wait to chat when you’re done 😊

Ok, I just made it through this first section. I’m listening to the audiobook and I like the narration, especially with the Australian accent! I think it’s had a bit of a slow start, but I think it’s because Moriarty is really taking her time introducing each sibling and their parents to see how they all interact together and what the family dynamic is like. The plot is also kind of slow, but I like how it’s going back and forth in time to show what lead up to Joy’s disappearance while also showing the present day with the investigation, etc. The whole thing with Joy and Stan taking Savannah in seems a little far fetched. Like, who would do that? Maybe I’m cynical or maybe it’s because I just finished watching Worst Roommate Ever on Netflix, but I would never let a stranger live in my house like that, empty nest or not. Savannah is one I’m not sure I trust. A part of me thinks she’s some kind of con artist, but I could be wrong lol. None of the characters are super likeable, but I don’t dislike any either if that makes any sense. Anyone else feeling that way? There is still a lot of story to go so we’ll see how things progress. So far I don’t love it, but don’t hate it either 🤷🏼‍♀️

What did you think of the ending? Did any of your initial feelings on the characters change by the end of the book? Let's discuss!

Let's talk about chapters 21-38 here! How is the book going for you?

Let's talk about the beginning of the book here. How is the plot? Are there any stand out characters for you?

Hey guys!

Bobbi and I are sorry that this post is soooo late. We both totally forgot to post for our April read in the beginning of March! We are the worst hosts ever LOL. Anyway, better late than never, right? We both are fans of Liane Moriarty and have actually already read one of her backlist books in this group (What Alice Forgot). We thought it would be fun to read her again so we've chosen her latest release, Apples Never Fall, for our April pick! Here's the synopsis:

If your mother was missing, would you tell the police? Even if the most obvious suspect was your father?

This is the dilemma facing the four grown Delaney siblings.

The Delaneys are fixtures in their community. The parents, Stan and Joy, are the envy of all of their friends. They’re killers on the tennis court, and off it their chemistry is palpable. But after fifty years of marriage, they’ve finally sold their famed tennis academy and are ready to start what should be the golden years of their lives. So why are Stan and Joy so miserable?

The four Delaney children—Amy, Logan, Troy, and Brooke—were tennis stars in their own right, yet as their father will tell you, none of them had what it took to go all the way. But that’s okay, now that they’re all successful grown-ups and there is the wonderful possibility of grandchildren on the horizon.

One night a stranger named Savannah knocks on Stan and Joy’s door, bleeding after a fight with her boyfriend. The Delaneys are more than happy to give her the small kindness she sorely needs. If only that was all she wanted.

Later, when Joy goes missing, and Savannah is nowhere to be found, the police question the one person who remains: Stan. But for someone who claims to be innocent, he, like many spouses, seems to have a lot to hide. Two of the Delaney children think their father is innocent, two are not so sure—but as the two sides square off against each other in perhaps their biggest match ever, all of the Delaneys will start to reexamine their shared family history in a very new light.

We hope you'll join us for this read in April, and remember you have until the end of May to finish. Happy reading! :)

Honestly, I’m not sure I’m really into this 😬 I’m struggling keeping track of the characters and I’m kind of bored by the story. I’ll probably give it another chapter or two, but I think I might be DNFing this one ☹️

We made it to the end! What did you think of the book? Who was your favorite character? Let's chat :)

Let's talk about Part Three here!

Let's discuss Part Two here.

Let's talk about Part One here! How are you liking the characters? Are there any themes sticking out to you?

Hey everyone and Happy New Year! Bobbi and I want to thank you for taking part in our little weird bookclub in 2021, and hope that you'll stay with us in 2022 because we have some cool reads planned! Our pick for February is a fantasy (yup I'm ready to dive into some more fantasy guys) called The Once and Future Witches by Alix E. Harrow. It's historical, it's witchy, it's got all kinds of girl power awesomeness.

Here's the synopsis:

In 1893, there's no such thing as witches. There used to be, in the wild, dark days before the burnings began, but now witching is nothing but tidy charms and nursery rhymes. If the modern woman wants any measure of power, she must find it at the ballot box.

But when the Eastwood sisters--James Juniper, Agnes Amaranth, and Beatrice Belladonna--join the suffragists of New Salem, they begin to pursue the forgotten words and ways that might turn the women's movement into the witch's movement. Stalked by shadows and sickness, hunted by forces who will not suffer a witch to vote-and perhaps not even to live-the sisters will need to delve into the oldest magics, draw new alliances, and heal the bond between them if they want to survive.

There's no such thing as witches. But there will be.

We'll start this book on February 1st and we hope you'll join us! Until then take care :)

Ok so I might be in the minority here, but I really enjoyed this! I can see why the twist in this story can anger people because it’s not what you’re expecting going in. It didn’t bother me, and I’m usually pretty sensitive and/or get annoyed when stories take a religious turn. I think it was a great good vs evil story. I loved the creepy vibes. I haven’t read a book that was this unsettling (especially in the beginning) in a while. I really liked the themes of motherhood in this, and it makes sense that the author dedicated the book to mothers everywhere. You saw motherhood in many forms (good and bad) throughout the story. Maybe it’s because I am a mom but I just really connected with Kate and Christopher and their bond. So yeah I definitely didn’t hate this! What stopped it from being 5 stars was it did feel a bit long and I think the last 200 pages or so could’ve been edited down. The ending did drag a bit. But otherwise it was a solid read. I’m really curious to hear what you all thought of it!

Wow ok why didn’t I see that twist coming? The nice man is actually the devil and was tricking Christopher the whole time. So this is definitely a good vs evil, Devil/God thing. I don’t hate it, but I’m very curious as to what’s going to happen in the last section. And what’s with Mary Katherine’s baby? That whole thing I’m really curious about now too. I hope the ending doesn’t disappoint!

Ok, I’m still loving this story! It’s so creepy and atmospheric. That whole scene when Christopher freed the Nice Man from the Hissing Lady was so intense! She’s one nasty, creepy lady. And I love the whole idea that there are invisible people around all the time but you just don’t know it, or mistake them for something else (for example the house settling). Soooo creepy. There are a few things that I’ve had to look past in regards to 7 year old Christopher. I have a 7 year old so I can’t help but compare him to my daughter. Christopher is definitely wise for his years, and some of the other kids too. And that a group of 7 year olds could build such an extravagant treehouse is also a stretch, but maybe it’s all part of the weirdness that’s taken over this town. The whole thing with Mary Katherine is interesting (is she pregnant with the antichrist or something?) and is making me think this is like a religious, end of days type thing that’s going on but I guess we’ll find out. If it’s to become a good vs evil thing, I’m for it. Im enjoying the ride!

I’ve really enjoyed this first section! It has such an overall eerie feeling and I just love it. It’s just so weird….Christopher’s changes after being lost in the woods, the nice man, the whole creepy backstory about David Olson, the whole scene where he’s talking to Bad Cat on the TV…I think it’s great! And now I’m really curious about what’s going to happen now that the treehouse is built, and if building it by Christmas really stopped whatever bad thing was going to happen. There’s still soooo much story left lol! I’d love to hear what everyone else is thinking of it so far. I know this book has some mixed reviews so I’d love to see where everyone is at with it. I’m loving it so far.

We made it to the end! How did everyone like this one? I know it was a long one lol!

Let's discuss Part 5 here!