Books and Jams Readalong discussion

We are more than half-way at this point. What are your thoughts, concerns, guesses as to what will happen as we continue on?

Well, honestly I haven't even started the book yet but plan to get going on it today. We are snowed in so I should get a lot of reading done this week-end. Sorry I am behind but I had some library books to get to first. (I usually read only one book at a time.) I will comment right a long with everyone when I get into the book. Happy reading everyone.

Krista, I have started the book this morning. I will catch up with you soon, I hope. So far, so good.

Debbi wrote: "Krista, I have started the book this morning. I will catch up with you soon, I hope. So far, so good."

No worries! I divided the discussion up into sections because I know we don't all read at the same pace. That way even if someone joins in another month and reads this book they can add their thoughts. I just love hearing the things that stand out to other people and talking about books! Jump in whenever you can! :)

I finished 4 and 5 this morning and I really feel the intensity building. I am sad about Madam, she was such a lifeline for Marie-Laure.

I've been thinking about the contrast between Marie-Laure and Werner. He can see but chooses to be blind, or shut himself off from the reality of his situation and where he is. He is uncomfortable, but chooses (for now) to stay quiet and turn his head when he sees the awful side of humanity. I can't imagine what it was like for boys when Hitler Youth started. I bet some were excited to join up and loved the promise of power. Some probably took it and ran with it like they do in this story. Others, like Frederick, probably tried to hold on to their kindness and gentleness, but it didn't work for Frederick. He held onto it but paid the price. It is a side of the war I don't think about that much and it breaks my heart. I get angry with the Nazis as a whole and their treatment of other people, but ultimately the Nazis were a bunch of humans too who lost their way or got consumed and even brainwashed. Horrible to think of. Yet it happened. It's real.

Makes me think of the book The Wave. It's a super short book about a high school experiment gone wrong. Have any of you read it?

Krista wrote: "We are more than half-way at this point. What are your thoughts, concerns, guesses as to what will happen as we continue on?"

Krista wrote: "We are more than half-way at this point. What are your thoughts, concerns, guesses as to what will happen as we continue on?"

Well, I finally started the book. I think it is a hard read.....takes a lot of concentration. I have to stop and Google a lot of the words to get the full meaning of what is going on.

I have been thinking about what you said about the contrast between Marie-Laure and Werner. You are so right.

I love the author's way of describing what Marie-Laure is seeing when she enters a room. She sees things very vividly.....probably better than most people with sight. I love Madam and Uncle Eitenne. (I am not far enough in the book to find out what happens to Madam.)

I thought it was interesting how the school administrators blacked out some parts of the letters that Werner wrote to Jutta.The Nazis were such controllers of EVERYTHIING. It just makes me wonder how, how could this have happened.

Have a good day, Krista.

Debbi wrote: "Krista wrote: "We are more than half-way at this point. What are your thoughts, concerns, guesses as to what will happen as we continue on?"

Krista wrote: "We are more than half-way at this point...."

I am so mad at Werner but then I have to remember he is only fourteen or fifteen. The "Prisoner was so hard to read.