The Book Basilisks discussion

Hey everyone! Sorry for the late creation of this topic, but after the polls are finished, we are going to read All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr in June! This is the topic where you can discuss your thoughts on the book and read it together!

Things and aspects you can discuss about:
1. Characters
2. Plot
3. Setting
4. Writing style
5. Title
6. Dialogues

I'm so excited to start this book! I'm getting it from the library soon.

Yayyy :) I've been putting this book off for so long.

Yesss me too Danielle! I'm so pumped :D

WWII fiction inevitably makes me nervous. So much suffering, so much death...nevertheless, its an anxious type of nervous: I cant wait to dive in...

Wow, I didn't realize how long this book is! It's a perfect summer reading book for me.

Yeah, I totally get what you mean Jodi! And I knowww it's super long... I can't wait to dive into it!

Im reading "The Book Thief" right now. Iove it, but im scared by what's on the next page, in the next chapter.....
But i love the book...

Maybe "The Nightingale" for July? Thats another one im dying to get my hands on....

I just The Book Thief early this year as well! I heard this one is similar to it, I'm afraid I'll compare it and not like it as much...

I'm worried about the same thing Ayunda...

OMG yes, I've been wanting to read The Nightingale, too!

How will you all be reading the book? I will be reading as an ebook.

I got a hardcover copy from the library.

I'll be reading an ebook as well, so I can't really see how big it is :')
Oh and I'll also be reading this for a readathon happening in June if anyone wants to join as well! It's called the tome topple readathon where you basically read long books (over 500 pages), so it's the perfect timing! Here's the link to the readathon announcement if you wanna join: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ibOV4... I'll be posting my updates on the readathon in my book blog :)

Haha I was thinking that too Ayunda, I borrowed the ebook from my library.
Thanks for the info, I'll check it out.

I got the hardcover version from my library.

I got an ebook. can't wait to start guys.

I got a paperback. I have to say this book is the longest time I had to spend so far. Maybe it's almost or more than a month and i haven't reached half of it. *sigh

Why does it take so long for your to read, Eka?
I can't wait to start too Sari! And of course you all can start even before the month starts if you want to :)

I think I may start tonight! :D

I have problems with my vocabs hahaha. Too many new words for me and so often it is annoying to check my dictionary like almost every second. It really slows me down. Yes, I can ignore those words and keep reading but somehow it feels so wrong *sigh.

ebooks are great in the fact Eka. You don't have to put down the book and find a dictionary. You can just highlight the word & click the define button (or something like similar to that)

When do we nomimate The Nightingale for July?

Jodi, nominations start the 5th (or whenever Ayunda gets atound to putting up the form for nominations).

Eka Herlyanti wrote: "I have problems with my vocabs hahaha. Too many new words for me and so often it is annoying to check my dictionary like almost every second. It really slows me down. Yes, I can ignore those words ..."

Just like Bhavya said, you can click and hold on any word in an ebook and should be able to get the definition right away.
I also understand how you feel about reading in a second language. I am starting to read books in Spanish after years of studying and using the language at work and home, and there are so many new words I never learned or saw either. It does make it tedious, but I applaud you!

Bhavya and Danielle, you're both just giving me the most logical reason to start reading an ebook. Seriously. I always love paperback and never try any ebook. Now I'm thinking what kind of ereader is best for me hahaha.

I personally have a kindle (the basic version). I like it but I wish I had got the paperwhite sometimes. It has a few more features. I think amazon's kindles or kobo would be your best bet. Or you could use the kindle app (or another ereader app) & read on your phone/tablet & later get a kindle if you like reading ebooks

I have the basic Kindle too and I absolutely love it. I do wish it had a back-light, but I actually just ended up buying a battery powered book light that clips onto my Kindle ($10). However, there are also book lights that are rechargeable for $20.
I definitely get my money's worth out of it. You can also borrow your local library's eBooks through your Kindle, so make sure to check with your local librarian. :)

@Jodi nominations for July will be up on the 5th just like Bhavya said!

@Eka I totally feel you!!! And yes I do agree with everyone: ebooks are the best for looking up words and highlighting passages!

I'm using a B&N Nook Simple Touch, which is my bae I love it so much <3 it has stuck with me for around 5 years, the one I have is the oldest version (which is not being produced/sold by Barnes and Noble anymore I think). it has those screens that are like real paper so they depend on light and doesn't hurt your eyes. I love it so much, although sometimes it's super slow and it is in black and white. It was super cheap, though :)

Thx all for your recs. I want a kindle so badly. But I live outside USA and tbh I'm so doubtful about the shipping.

@Ayunda. Wow, 5 years! I can see how much you love your ereader.

Im reading "All the Light..." And I'd say it's as good as "Book Thief"... The narration is pleasingly schizophrenic: we are lurched back and forth from one vignette to another, the characters' past to present, Germany to France, and so on... Im digging it...

I like it too coz it has fairy tales in it which is amazing. I'm a little disturbed by the part where Marie-Laure took a bath and her father gave her a little help. He saw her skin, I guess. And if I'm not mistaken Marie is 12 by that time. It's kinda weird.

I have been having a bunch of external exam so I'm just starting to read this today. I just finished an 800 pages book so I wasn't too excited about reading another long one but you guys have got me excited to do it!

Jodi wrote: "Im reading "All the Light..." And I'd say it's as good as "Book Thief"... The narration is pleasingly schizophrenic: we are lurched back and forth from one vignette to another, the characters' past..."

I definitely agree, I like the two different perspectives and I can't wait to see how they come together at the end. :)

Yeah Sara I know what you mean, sometimes large books can be so intimidating! But this one seems like it'll go by in a breeze :)

I'm glad you like the characters, Danielle and Eka! What are your thoughts on how the author shaped their personalities?

I think Marie-Laure's perspectives is really interesting because of how she uses all of the sounds, smells, and surfaces/things she touches because she is blind. It really heightens my awareness of how much more adept the senses before when one is not functioning.
I think for Werner it's interesting to see how his thought process is changing from a sweet, smart boy into that of a Nazi soldier. He seems to me to be less sympathetic to his peers.

I just started it & it is like The Book Thief! It's really intriguing so far. The language kinda seems like it's an olden style. There were some words I had to look up as I had never heard of those words.

I've only just finished part one , but I'm not really too crazy about the constant change of pov's , and it just seems pretty boring so far.

So it's not just me having problem with words in this novel, Bhavya. There are some French and Germany words as well I had to check the internet.

I think Doerr really did a good job in shaping the the character's personality, Ayunda. I can see how Marie is a good and calm girl but somehow she is a brave girl. And so with her father. While Werner is a genius and can be a little coward and selfish sometimes. I like his sister, Jutta. She is more persistent. I never heard of her again but I hope I will. Oh, I like Etienne too. He's so mysterious with his trauma of war and the death of his brother.

What about the Sea of Flames, Sara? Don't you like it? I think this is the most interesting part. I really wonder if Marie might carry the real jewel and if the fairy tales is real.

I just own The Book Thief as well and seeing the cover I can feel it too that these two books might be pretty similar, especially in its character.

Oh yes the Sea of Flames story was really interesting and had me wondering if the stone the girl was holding was it and if she maybe stole it from the museum. I haven't really gotten to the fairy tales part but I'm looking forward to them bc war novels don't really interest me so I think the fairy tale aspect could make it very interesting.

currently on chapter 54.
my temporary conclusion is this book is really beautiful.

Yes, the book is beyond brautiful, heartwrenching. I loved it. Im not sure what more to say because I dont want to spoil ending. I like the the author wraps up everyone's story.

I can't imagine the horror of war in my homeland, to be occupied by monsters.

I agree that the book is beautiful, tragic, and a heart-breaker. I think for me the most tragic thing is the Hitler youth. How the training and mentality of the Hitler youth changes these young, innocent boys into heartless, stupidly brave, and brainwashed citizens that believe what they're learning and training for will make Germany pure and wholesome again.

The take-away lesson (maybe) is that people are easily corrupted. Scary.

I just got into the chapter with Frederick and Werner, it breaks my heart that Werner realizes he hasn't stood up for or defended Frederick, but Frederick will still not let the general tell him what to do. I had tears in my eyes from the scene where they kept pouring water on the prisoner and Frederick refused.
I like that he refuses to be broken no matter how many times they single him out beat him and still he retains his aloofness and enthusiasm for birds. To me that is just beautiful.

Yeah, me too Danielle. I had read that part and had the same feeling with you only I didn't cry. I think you're almost get to my part. i'm on page 226 and it's getting more sad.

oops, sorry Danielle. apparantly I haven't read that prisoner part. coz what you said is pretty similar with the previous part. i just got to prisoner part right now.

Yes, I cried too...