Big Book Theory’s Comments (group member since Jan 03, 2017)

Big Book Theory’s comments from the Books For Your Shelf group.

This will be our first ever Time-Travel Romance read and will be our read for August 2017. Reading and Discussion begins from today for anyone who would like to read this story. Maybe the author might pop in and answer some questions. Suggest a date.

This month we'll be reading Hartman House

A.L. Wright is a two time award winning author, who loves to write across a range of genres but most all of them include a good love story. From Fantasy and Magic to Paranormal to Spy fiction, characters drive her stories no matter the setting. Fast paced and unpredictable. Thoughtful and poetic. Energetic and inspiring. All of these have been used to describe her stories.

Hartman House is a safe haven from witch hunters and werewolf or vampire slayers. Where any mystical being could live, safe from the threat of the outside world. The Hartman family were themselves witches and had always tried their best to protect their own, and to protect other magical beings as well. To do so they built a large mansion on the edge of New Orleans and spelled it to conceal any magic.

The cover of this book is amazing and makes me want to learn everything about the supernatural world behind its walls. Will you join me on this journey of discovery?

Questions to ponder and perhaps give your thoughts on:

1) What took you by surprise about this story, and what were you able to predict?

2) Who was your favorite character and why?

3) Did you have a favorite scene/moment?

4) How did you feel about the ending?

Happy reading!

This month we'll be reading Book One FERTS in the Ferts series by Grace Hudson.

Grace Hudson is an author of FERTS, a dark dystopian novel and Open Doors, an Aussie urban fantasy. She loves reading horror, partial to zombies, enjoys a good crime novel. Enjoys sleeping and drinking coffee, not necessarily in that order. Grace Hudson lives in Melbourne, Australia.

1) What took you by surprise about this story, and what were you able to predict?

2) Who was your favorite character and why?

3) Did you have a favorite scene/moment?

4) How did you feel about the ending?

Happy reading!

Our book of the month: The Mansion's Family.

The cause of the storm remains a mystery, and June fears there could be another. She enlists the help of the Senka twins, but the girls only grow frustrated after hitting dead ends. Ellie is far more curious about what she and Savannah might find on the other world, and eventually, June agrees to let them go.

Exploring the other world, the twins discover far more than what they bargained for. Secrets of the past are revealed, both in the mansion, and beyond the shadow cave.

Though Jerome remains bound in the forest, the trap grows weak, and a battle is coming. Ellie and Savannah are no warriors, but they still have an important part to play. This time their mission is not to rebuild, it is one of great sacrifice. They discover a secret of their magic, one that will allow them once again to keep the mansion's people safe. But the price may be too high to pay.

Have you read The Mansion's Twins yet?

If you're still waiting to get your copy of My Life Hereafter, it is free for download (April 2017) at the following links:

Lulu (ePub): http://www.lulu.com/shop/lynette-ferr...

Apple iBooks: https://itunes.apple.com/gb/book/my-l...

Soon from more places.

This month, we'll be reading My Life Hereafter by Lynette Ferreira.

Description:
Everything is exactly the same as before that day which she can now only vaguely remember. The day her school bus ran over the cliff. The day she and most of her fellow students ended up here. The twins, Mark and David, were also on the bus, but David did not come here with them. David was sent across the valley to the other side. Mark convinces Sunel to help him find his brother, no matter what the dangers might be.

Lynette's informed us this book will be free to download from all retail sites within a week or so, so if you'd like to get a free copy you're all set.

Same questions (as always):

> What was unique about the setting of the book and how did it enhance or take away from the story?

> What specific themes did the author emphasize throughout the novel?

> What do you think he or she is trying to get across to the reader?

> Do the characters seem real and believable? Can you relate to their predicaments? To what extent do they remind you of yourself or someone you know?

> How do characters change or evolve throughout the course of the story? What events trigger such changes?

> In what ways do the events in the books reveal evidence of the author's world view?

> Did certain parts of the book make you uncomfortable? If so, why did you feel that way? Did this lead to a new understanding or awareness of some aspect of your life you might not have thought about before?

> Did you like the book? If you have read any of the author's other books, how does this compare?

Thank you for the suggestion :)

> What was unique about the setting of the book and how did it enhance or take away from the story?
I loved that it was set in a hotel on a beachfront - it seemed so idylic.

> What specific themes did the author emphasize throughout the novel?
Equality and it's okay to be yourself and to like what it is that you like without having to feel as if you're being judged.

> What do you think he or she is trying to get across to the reader?
That it's okay to be you!

> Do the characters seem real and believable? Can you relate to their predicaments? To what extent do they remind you of yourself or someone you know?
I could not relate to their predicaments except when Emma dies, which was sad. The characters felt real.

> In what ways do the events in the books reveal evidence of the author's world view?
In my opinion, the author wants acceptance of each other no matter whom they love, what their interest are, etc.

> Did you like the book? If you have read any of the author's other books, how does this compare?
I have read both Hook Up & Legacies and have enjoyed reading both.

Thank you so much for the recommendation to read this story. I have already read it last year, and I did enjoy the story.

The sequel to Hook Up further challenges stereotypical ideas about love, relationships, gender identity and sexuality.

Reunite with Macy and Tobias as they continue their journey through the ups and downs of life. The story of their friend Emma's life unfolds and we discover details about her legacy, Sirens Hotel and the ‘family’ of people who run it — all of whom have had their lives changed for the better by ‘The Countess.’

Macy's family and friends work harder than ever to try to broaden the boundaries of relationships and celebrate life and love in all its diversity, without prejudice. They learn that life is too short hide your true self, so it is worth living to the fullest!

We'll keep the same questions as last month:

> What was unique about the setting of the book and how did it enhance or take away from the story?

> What specific themes did the author emphasize throughout the novel?

> What do you think he or she is trying to get across to the reader?

> Do the characters seem real and believable? Can you relate to their predicaments? To what extent do they remind you of yourself or someone you know?

> How do characters change or evolve throughout the course of the story? What events trigger such changes?

> In what ways do the events in the books reveal evidence of the author's world view?

> Did certain parts of the book make you uncomfortable? If so, why did you feel that way? Did this lead to a new understanding or awareness of some aspect of your life you might not have thought about before?

> Did you like the book? If you have read any of the author's other books, how does this compare?

Happy Reading x

Let's pick a genre - and then an awesome book. Something adult for a change - maybe?

The Anime feel of the story made it unique for me. I am sure there are other books out there, but this is the first time I've read one.

The book had a Supernatural theme set in London. Kellie paints a pretty picture :)

I think, mostly, the author tried to bring across her love for Anime and then there are themes of homelessness throughout the book.

Lee was believable to me. I could not relate to her situation, but I could relate to her feelings and at times I did feel sad for her - especially the two times she saw the autumn leave in mid-Spring. Could that be Bree?

Lee starts off as being a prisoner, but then she grows stronger and stronger - not just by sheer magic as it happens in some books but through sheer determination and focus - by actually training free running.

I think the author has great empathy with homeless people and she does not mind being pick-pocketed lol

I did like this story. I have read a previous book by Kellie - White Ghost, but I enjoyed this story far more than I enjoyed that one (now that I think about it, it might not be reflected as such in my star-rating, which i suppose I should fix at one point or another).

I enjoyed this story, and will quite happily read Book 2.

Fellow Readers,

Thank you so much for the recommendation to read this story.

It looks like an interesting read, set in London, From the blurb, it seems Lee has been kept prisoner by werewolves. She manages to escape when the house where she was held prisoner burns down and then she meets Bree, a homeless girl. However, something about Lee could bring about the end of the world.

To find out whether the world comes to an end or not, we'll have to read the story.

I am looking forward to this read, and I hope you do too.

I've figured out some questions to help with any discussions:

> What was unique about the setting of the book and how did it enhance or take away from the story?

> What specific themes did the author emphasize throughout the novel?

> What do you think he or she is trying to get across to the reader?

> Do the characters seem real and believable? Can you relate to their predicaments? To what extent do they remind you of yourself or someone you know?

> How do characters change or evolve throughout the course of the story? What events trigger such changes?

> In what ways do the events in the books reveal evidence of the author's world view?

> Did certain parts of the book make you uncomfortable? If so, why did you feel that way? Did this lead to a new understanding or awareness of some aspect of your life you might not have thought about before?

> Did you like the book? If you have read any of the author's other books, how does this compare?

Happy Reading x

Thank you for sharing Aneta. Do you take request from authors?

Hi, could we have some book recommendations.

I agree, it's not great, only because I like my romance stories with a lot more angst, but for a book about a gaming nerd turned vampire, I thought it was very well told.

I liked all the gaming stuff, and then when the large tattoo'd guy just assaulted him from out of nowhere, I was intrigued. From the beginning there's that hint that he's been turned into a vampire, so I found that exciting because I wanted to know how it happened. Was it when Wendy bit him the first night they were together? The plot kept me interested, like when, at the launch party he could not remember speaking to the tattoo'd guy, then he finds Daryl's phone and wallet in his car. I actually thought it was a good story and it kept me interested.

Suggestions always welcome - please add them here.

I enjoyed reading this story. It wasn't wow! only because I enjoy more angst in my romances, but I loved being immersed in the world of gaming. Their jobs weren't just mentioned briefly, the majority of the story happens at their place of work so I actually feel as if I have learned behind-the-scenes things about the gaming world which interested me and fascinated me. I love learning new things from fiction stories. Sometimes we just need to enjoy a story, one story at a time and not feel rushed to finish it - and this is one of those stories.
My fave quote: “They say all writers are liars,” she says. “How will you know I’m telling you the truth?”

Dear Readers,

I'm so interested to read this story - thank you for the recommendation.

It looks like a story filled with humour and geekiness, and just as the world has not yet moved on from everything Vampire, neither have I.

Because I like to read books with a deeper meaning, a story where you get to read between the lines, I would be interested to discuss what larger meanings you discover behind the work? What ideas do you think the author explores? What is he or she trying to say?

Elizabeth x

I thought seeing as it is a book club and some of us are going to be reading genres we never usually read, it shouldn't cost us an arm and a leg to take part in reading the books and being able to participate in any discussion of said books.

That said, I added all the suggestions under GBP 2,99
>Stirring Power GBP 1.61
>Your name, in fire GBP 0.99
>In Praise of Bees GBP 0.99

in a randomiser (random.org) and the result was:

Your name, in fire (on special at the moment for GBP 0.99)

I hope you all like the book for January, and am just as excited as I am to discuss it whether we loved it, hated it or thought it was just blah!