You'll love this one...!! A book club & more discussion

Please read through the reporting thread carefully to ensure to report correctly to get your badge/s.

After you have read your chosen book(s) for this month's group theme read, please report in the thread below.

Please state what book you read (and link it), that you discussed it (and where), and briefly summarise what you thought of the book and/or link to your review if you have written one.

If you lead the discussion, please state this in your post.

Here is an example for how to report your read:
“I read Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone and discussed it in the [Harry Potter/Buddy Read/Other books in theme] thread. I really enjoyed the book. I watched the film first so I already knew the storyline but I was surprised how much I enjoyed the book more as there was more detail involved. Plus I listened to the audio which was narrated by Stephen Fry who is a superb narrator. 4 stars.”

If you read more than one book which fits the theme, please report all your reads in the same post rather than in separate posts.

Please note, there are THREE different badges that can be obtained for group reads. Those reading and discussing one of the two chosen group reads will receive a colourful badge similar to those for previous group reads. Those reading and discussing any other book in the theme will receive a stamp. The discussion leader for the two chosen group reads will receive a badge stating they led the discussion. Maximum amount of badges you can receive for the group reads is TWO - one for the chosen group read/discussion leader and one for any other book in the theme.

In order to receive a badge you must:
1. have read the book(s) before or during November 2016.
2. discussed it in the relevant thread. Discussion must be more than "I read the book and I liked it". Discussion requires something more substantial and analytical of what you read, for example, thoughts, opinions, impact it had on you, what was your favourite part, was it what you expected it to be like etc. You may also like to review the book and post a link to the review in that thread.
3. Report that you have read AND discussed the book in the reporting thread below, along with a brief summary of what you thought.

I read A Year of Marvellous Ways and discussed it in the relevant thread. I am also the discussion leader for this book.

It was a mixed bag for me. The story was okay and some of the writing was lyrical and evocative. However, I didn't really connect to any of the characters and I often felt that the author tried too hard to make the book quirky and as a result, some things didn't really make sense. There were also occasions where I felt that she shoehorned certain themes into the storyline just for the sake of including them. I have rated it 3 stars for the moment but I may end up lowering it to 2/2.5.

Wow, I'm never this early in the month! ;)
It turned out that the book I was reading had a female MC of about 80! It was Voetstappen in het Zand by Sarah Challis. I thought it would be only about the 2 young nieces. But it turned out to be just as much about a 80 I discussed it in the 'female MC above 60' thread.
I really loved it! It was such a touching story! About the past and the present. About a few English women and about life in Mali.
I gave it 5 stars.

I also read A Year of Marvellous Ways, but it didn't work for me. Like Lisa says, I missed connection to the characters, there were so many things that just didn't make sense, and the writing was a bit too lyrical and flowery so that I often needed to reread parts. I rated it 2 stars.

I discussed it in the thread and also reviewed it here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I read A Year of Marvellous Ways, gave it 2 stars, and participated in the discussion thread.

I was very enthusiastic about this book at the outset and loved Marvellous Ways, the main character, who at ninety is a fierce, independent woman; however, the author lost focus and went off on wild tangents that were confusing. I enjoy a creative story and lyrical language, but a tight, concise plot is imperative to a great novel. I got tired of floundering around trying to determine which parts of the story were going to be important. Parts of the story seemed to be added for effect whether they fit or not. For example: there is a subplot about mermaids that never really fits into the book, nor is it explained at any point, but it is there to add a mystical element. Too bad the author didn't have an effective editior to guide her through much needed rewrites.

I read Britt-Marie Was Here and discussed in the BOTM thread. I enjoyed the story. It was sweet to see how this uptight and set in her routines type woman mellowed and fell in love with a town that also loved her. It was interesting to learn her past and why she was the way she was, but it was also fun to watch her learn and grow.

I am also the discussion leader for Britt-Marie.

I also read Driving Miss Daisy and discussed in the general theme thread. I really enjoyed this book (play) and wished it was longer. It was so interesting thinking about how much things have changed since the setting of this book, such as how people spoke, the way people stayed at jobs for years, and what they thought was acceptable or not. It was interesting to see that in the book and it felt real. I will have to watch the movie some time.

Ignore the typos!☻

I read A Year of Marvellous Ways for the group read this month, and discussed it in the appropriate thread. Unfortunately, I didn't enjoy it much. I feel that the overly lyrical writing interfered with the plot development. I quite like it when some plot lines are left intentionally ambiguous, but in this book, it didn't work well. The relationship between elderly Marvellous and young Drake was an interesting plot line and reasonably well told. I did enjoy Marvellous' character, a fiercely independent 89 year old woman. I also enjoyed the group discussion!

I also read Our Souls at Night and discussed it in the "women over 60" thread. This is a tender, heart-warming, simply written book. Addie, a 70 year old widow, enters into an unusual relationship with her neighbour Louis, a widower. It is a story of love, loneliness, friendship, and family. I enjoyed this book's message that one can still have desires, plans and hope, regardless of age.

Having seen no one yet seemed to have enjoyed A Year of Marvellous Ways, I am skeptical to start it now.

On another note, I finished reading Britt-Marie Was Here and discussed in its thread. I loved the book. It's 4.5/5 for me. The characters spoke to me, the setting was innovative and the book was extremely touching and thought-provoking. I would go as far as to say I am giving it a place in my favorite books folder.

My MC character was Emma Gatewood. She was the first female to through hike the Appalachian Trail and at the age of 67. Grandma Gatewood's Walk: The Inspiring Story of the Woman Who Saved the Appalachian Trail is the story of her hike, but also her life. Discussed in the MC >60 thread.

So I finished Our Souls at Night and reported it in the Female MC Over 60 Thread.
I enjoyed reading it.it was a good book.written sparely . the conversation btw Addie (female MC over 60 ) and Louis nd Ruth . And the way James gradually adjusts to them was beautiful.
Its sad how Gene and Holly were affected by the past. Holly fears abandonement and Gene is a control freak .I felt sorry for them.
The flow of life felt ordinarily... written as a matter of fact...
It was a 3.5 star read for me. This may change later after fully absorbing the storyIt was also an easy read with a good tone.

I read Britt-Marie Was Here and discussed it in the discussion thread. I liked it, 3 stars.

"Why don't we drink soda out of cans?"
"Because we are not animals."
"What animal besides humans can drink out of a can?"

"...in a crossword this might be rendered as "God of aggression." Vertical, fifteen letters."

some examples of the clever and effective writing in this book.

Britt-Marie Was Here can be read on many levels.
At the beginning, I really did not care much about Britt-Marie or where she was then about a third of the way in something dramatic happens and I was surprised to find that I did care. And that is one part of this book - the folks that no-one sees or cares about.
It is also the story of a middle-aged lady who suddenly finds she has to find her way alone in the world. The author masterfully develops a plot with four possible and plausible resolutions and manages to pick the best one!
It is also, to my mind, a philosophical exploration of the human condition. Is Britt-Marie responsible for her self-effacing life or was her fate due to the nature she was born with & external forces?
Is she free to choose her own path or is she constrained by how others view her.

I read The Roots of the Olive Tree by Courtney Miller Santo and discussed it in the discussion thread. I loved reading about the generations of women who have lived to the ripe old age of 90 & 112. My grandmother is also turning 94 this year and I started to imagine her secrets and her sorrows as I read this book. The premise focuses on why these women have aged so well and their connection with the olive grove and each other. A great inter-generational and family dynamic read!

I almost forgot to report! I finished Britt-Marie Was Here and discussed it in the discussion thread set up for it.

I really enjoyed the book. Britt-Marie was annoying, stilted, and judgemental - a truly cantankerous person. But as I got to know her, I found her to be thoughtful, caring, and downright funny. I love how the author makes us look beyond the crusty exteriors of his characters to see the hidden gem.

Janice wrote: "I almost forgot to report! I finished Britt-Marie Was Here and discussed it in the discussion thread set up for it.

I really enjoyed the book. Britt-Marie was annoying, stilted, an..."

What she said! ;) lol

So yeah, I read Britt-Marie Was Here and discussed in the thread.

At the start I honestly didn't think I was going to like it - a little too dreary and full of mundane details for my taste.
However it totally won me over with wonderful characters and a heartwarming story.

I finished How It All Began, and discussed it in the "Main character over 60" thread. I liked the book very much. The main character was someone I could easily relate to, an older woman who is being forced to depend more on her adult daughter, and fighting to be as independent and self-sufficient as possible. I liked the way the author explored the dynamics of that relationship. I'm not sure it is a five-star book, but it was at least four stars.

Well, I finally finished A Year of Marvellous Ways and am not really sure what to make of it. There are a lot of mixed feelings here.

The prose definitely flowed and was a pleasure to read, but for a long time, I wasn't at all sure where the book was heading and I was just going along for the ride.

I discussed the book in the thread of the same name and gave it 3 stars in the end... if I ever hit the mood and re-read, I strongly suspect this might increase to 4. 3 seems overly mean and there is a lot to mull over about the meaning of life (the universe and everything)!!

Oh... and the cover is still amazing!

Because I couldn't get either books in time, I will have to settle for a stamp this month. Darn!

I read Swamp Team 3, another delightful book in the Miss Fortune series featuring two of the most delightful elderly sleuths I've ever encountered. I enjoy how these two Sinful Ladies and Miss Fortune go about solving murders. The series would fall into the cozy genre, which is not usually exciting enough for me. But this series is so funny, I've found myself enticed to continue reading them.

I read Britt-Marie Was Here and discussed in the appropriate thread.

I gave the book 3 stars. As eccentric as Britt Marie was, I found the townsfolk of Borg over the top. Not really believable characters, but really very entertaining.

Badges are now posted. Let me know if I've missed anyone.

Thank you, Sarah. Did you post stamps too? If so, I didn't get one, but I did get my badge. :)

Ah. I overlooked the fact you had read two books. I'll sort the stamp out for you now Kristie.

Thanks again, Sarah.

Thanks for the badge Sarah. It's nice to see an positive photo of an older woman.