.:.Book Bodega.:. discussion

Leave your thoughts about Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell, as you are reading, just make sure you say what chapter & page you are on so that there are no spoilers. This way we can discuss as we read without ruining the ending for anyone

On the waiting list: I believe I'm 4th on the waiting list at the library for this one. Can't wait to get it and start.

Just picked it up from the library!!

Okay - lost sleep because I couldn't stop reading it til I was done. I really liked it. I thought the characters felt real, and I appreciated that this didn't follow the usual YA formula (love triangles, super popularity now that we're together, etc.) Won't say more until others have read it and until it's percolated a bit more.

On page 115
I'm loving this book.
Eleanor and Park are great characters.

Excerpt & Author Q&A
http://shelf-life.ew.com/2013/02/26/r...

Looks like, so far, we've all really liked this! (Of course, Li and Sammee know my "rating" issue that I rarely rate something non-classic with 5 stars, so take my star-ratings with a grain of salt.) I really liked the characters - they had flaws, but they were basically kind - and their quirkiness. It did break my heart, but left me with a little hope, which I liked. I hope that the author keeps her promise not to write a follow-up (except for maybe one set after they are adults). Much as I'd like more, I think this is one of those books that works best as is. What do you guys think?

I actually liked the way that it ended and that it left me wanting to know more. That way we can all make our own ending and no one is disappointed.

I was so bummed at the end. Only because I wanted more. Yes, it leaves us with the room to make our own conclusion. Yes, it's a nod to Rowell's great writing. Still...I wanted more. (Virtual pout)

I would like a sequel or a conclusion/companion piece set when Eleanor & Park are adults. I think it would be really interesting to see how these events shaped them as adults. Please, Rainbow Rowell, make it happen!

I hear ya, Li. But how many books leave you wanting more and then disappoint in the follow-up. I DEFINITELY wanted more, but I was also gratified that I didn't get more. If that makes sense. :-)

There are some threads here on Goodreads that are speculating on what the last three words were. Of course, assuming "I love you" or "I miss you," but they have some amusing suggestions.

Chapter-17, Well to be frank it looks dull until Chapter-9 but that sweet slow love formation definitely tinge you up a little, i am listening Frank Sinatra & Sade Lovers Rock as background music (i do that while reading) & slowly developing this crave to read more everyday after work ... i am fully packed in my room with that classy lamp of mine, music & this book...

Finished...this was a grabber, I was hooked from the 4th page and ended up waking up way early without my alarm clock so I could read more. Eleanor really reminds me of me as a teenager (except for the below poverty level life with an abusive stepdad). Her quirkiness and constant fears of making the wrong move. Park is someone I would have fallen for in my younger days and the while they were 16 in 1986, I was 17. I loved Joy Division and Echo and the Bunnymen.

I agree strongly with Li, I want to know what happens to them as adults because ever hopeful I think those three words were I love you. Great choice, great read!

Yeah, it did definitely bring me back to high school in the '80s and I think we all liked it quite a bit!

Kind of confused as of why Eleanor had to leave so urgently at the end?!

Well, I've got one disk to finish so I'm not at the end yet, but this doesn't surprise me, Emily - so it isn't a 'spoiler'.

I'm hoping somebody thumps that stepfather of hers. Her real father sounds like an overaged teenager, but Ritchie - oh, man ... I wanna kick that guy's butt.

I really loved the way Park's dad told Eleanor that he understood about her stepfather.

Now ... these books! Just when I wanna get back into FB Bingo, Scrabble and one of those online free courses I'm on, there's a book like this - all I wanna do is listen to it!

Grrrrr...

I'll probably see y'all soon, 'cause we're in the middle of a blizzard so I'm goin' nowhere.

Eleanor & Park is definitely one of those books that gets under your skin and stays with you for a long time.
I'm actually looking to do a re-read this year just to revisit my "friends".
I wish more books were as good as this one.

Emily:
Eleanor was afraid for her life. She had to get away as quickly as possible.

You think she was that afraid of Ritchie? I dunno ... I think the reason she left was because she knew that she didn't really fit into Park's life.

She was so different from him - and she knew was kinda freaky to look at and would always be thinking people thought she was wasted on him.

He didn't think so, but I understand why she thought that way.

I understand why she went away.