Books and Jams Readalong discussion

What stands out to you so far? Do you see any themes? Foreshadowing? Which characters do you like/dislike? Any other thoughts as we get started, share them below!

The last paragraph in the second chapter....what.a.cliffhanger!

Yes!

I really enjoy how the timeline jumps around and St. Deborah by the Water gave me the creeps.

So I have highlighted a bunch of things. I agree with Robyn the end of Chapter 2 and who are the people at the bar? and that you are finding out that they really aren't going to make it.

The end of chapter 5 when Miranda Arthur's first wife is contacted and then it is mentioned how it will be one of the last times contact will be able to made by pushing buttons across country.

Also the comic books that Kirsten has that Arthur gave her. I think they have to do with a lot. Did Arthur write them. And then when they arrived in St Debora by the water and the prophet seemed familiar to Kirsten and he called his dog Luli. Is he Arthur's son? I have a bunch of questions that I am looking forward to being answered. I really want to take my time with this book it is very interesting

Melanie wrote: "I really enjoy how the timeline jumps around and St. Deborah by the Water gave me the creeps."

Yes I was also getting creeped out by the town. It wasn't overly described, but I could see it so clearly in my mind like a movie. I could almost hear the creepy music playing as Kirsten walked down the street with the little girl following her!

I'm loving the feelings this book is making me have. We haven't gotten too far into it yet and I'm on edge just a bit anticipating something bad. I have a sense of foreboding that bad things are coming.

I am eager to hear more about the pandemic and the early years right after the flu decimated the population. I think we will get it because of the way the chapters bounce around a bit. I want to know how Kirsten and the Traveling Symphony connected. I want to know more about Charlie and where they went after leaving the town.

We are starting to get a feel for the world. It's not a fun place at all. I really look forward to continuing on!

Krista, I agree. The author's writing paints a picture of the town..... so you really can imagine what it looks like.....a dusty, dirty, boarded- up, ghost own.

So I like the way that this book doesn't waste time, it just drags you on into the ride.
The vibe from this town is super creepy though. Though they're leaving at the end of part two, I can't help but feel like we're going to end up back there later, because of the funeral comment the boy made and the "what happens if we come back" comment.
They've been alluding to how horrible the first years were so I am really interested to see if they elaborate on that at all, which I really hope they do.
So far I am definitely enjoying this though!

I just finished parts three and four last night. It gets creepier and creepier. And then there is a chapter devoted to some letters that Author wrote to a mysterious woman he calls "V". I am wondering how that fits into to the book but I have a guess.

This book is a lot of fun to read.

I just finished reading Part 2 and I agree with a lot that has already been said.

The town is so creepy, even though it wasn't overly described. Emily St. John Mandel is doing a terriffic job in telling this story. She didn't write much detail about the town, but all of us are having the same feelings about the town and how it looked. A lot of detail wan't necessary. I think this demonstrates quality of writing versus quantity.

Yes, Kirstin being followed by that little girl, what we learn about the prophet and the gravesite just adds to the creepiness of the town.

I want to know more about where Charlie and her family are and what happened to them. I also want to know more about how the Symphony got together and why they're surving so far.

I think we will be returning to St. Deborah by the Water, perhaps after they find Charlie and see what her experiences were?

I can see why Erin Morgenstern, author of The Night Circus, is quoted on the front cover. Although this is a very different story from The Night Circus, I get a similar vibe and feel like it's a similar writing style.

Yes, your questions will be answered the further you get in the book. It all comes together in a good way,,,,I think, I only have 26 pages to read so will be done today.

I have to admit I didn't think I would like this book when I signed up to read it but I have enjoyed it 100%. This is one reason why I love book tube and these read-a-longs. It gets me reading things I never would pick up on my own.

Great pick, Krista from BooksandJams.

Ok, Krista is pulling me out of my comfort zone with Station Eleven. This is my first SiFi/dystopian/apocalypse novel. Thanks for persuading me to try something different.

I am listening to this on audio during my runs and I have to agree with Robyn at the end of chapter 2....what the heck???!! I wasn't sure I heard it correctly and I had to rewind and hear it again...WOW!

Another chapter I had to listen to again was chapter 6...."no more diving into pools of chlorinated water...no more flights...no more pharmaceuticals....no more Internet" OMG....listening to this was so eerie and solemn. On my run I just kept thinking...what if?

I can't wait to get back to Jeevan and his brother and see how things got to the devastation that it did.

And that prophet!! He is so Jim Jones creepy! Looking forward to what happens with the Symphony group. I have a feeling the prophet will show up again.....especially since Kirsten felt he had a familiar face she couldn't place.

Another part that creeped me out was if you were not "given permission to leave" and you leave anyway, you have a grave marker placed for you and a funeral held for you. And if you come back...well, "If we've already had a funeral...."

This is so story is so creepy, scary and doom and gloom filled....I love it!! :-)

Becky wrote: "I just finished reading Part 2 and I agree with a lot that has already been said.

The town is so creepy, even though it wasn't overly described. Emily St. John Mandel is doing a terriffic job in t..."

I agree that there wasn't an abundance of description about St. Deborah by the Water. How amazing that it could make us feel so much. What a testament to great writing! I know I get bogged down by too much description and lose the feeling or sense of a place. That was NOT the case here and I'm so glad!

Debbi wrote: "Yes, your questions will be answered the further you get in the book. It all comes together in a good way,,,,I think, I only have 26 pages to read so will be done today.

I have to admit I didn't t..."

I'm also hoping to finish today or tomorrow. I am still eagerly awaiting how it all pulls together.

I was just thinking one of the creepiest parts of the book was at the Severn City Airport.....The arrival of an Air Gradia plane that sits in the runway in quarantine. Man! That would be terrible.