Nothing But Reading Challenges discussion

Synopsis
From #1 New York Times bestseller Stephen King, whose brand has never been stronger, comes one of his most propulsive and unsettling stories ever.

An eleven-year-old boy is found in a town park, hideously assaulted and murdered. The fingerprints (and later DNA) are unmistakably those of the town’s most popular baseball coach, Terry Maitland, a man of impeccable reputation, with a wife and two daughters. Detective Ralph Anderson, whose son Maitland coached, orders an immediate and public arrest. Maitland is taken to jail, his claim to innocence scorned. Maitland has a foolproof alibi, with footage to prove that he was in another city when the crime was committed. But that doesn't save him either.

King constructs a propulsive plot, and a race against time to uncover the identity of a terrifying and diabolical killer who has left victims—and “perpetrators”—across the country, and who is on his way to his next horrific act.

King’s psychological suspense is at its most riveting in this extraordinarily dramatic and eerie story. He is devastatingly vivid on the experience of being falsely blamed—the effect on the accused, the spouse, the children; the suspicion of friends, even the most loyal; the impossibility of ever being innocent again (if you are lucky enough to live). He is also masterful at showing us that supernatural monsters are startlingly like human beings who do monstrous things.

      ~ Buddy Style Reads ~
    Three Ways to Enjoy a Book!

At NRBC we use three styles of buddy reads. These will be indicated in the thread title as “Buddy Read”, “Relaxed Buddy Read” or “Informal Buddy Read”.

A “Buddy Read” has a discussion leader and a reading date is set to start the book. A reading schedule is posted prior to the start date and discussion questions are posted each day regarding that section of the book. More information about these types of reads is below. An example is here, showing a reading schedule here.

A “Relaxed Buddy Read” is similar to our usual “buddy reads” except there are less questions and break points. For example, a book may be split into three sections and those reading the book should pause at the end of the section to answer some discussion questions, make comments, or ask their own questions to other readers. An example is here.

An “Informal Buddy Read” doesn’t have a discussion leader and participants are asked to consider some generic questions when making comments about the book. An example is here.

A “Read and Watch Buddy Read” may be set up as any of the above, but we will also watch the movie or T.V. series - or even go to a play! - and make comparisons, discussing what has been left out or changed as well as the actors and actresses. There is a long debate of what one should do first: read the books or watch the movie? We usually read first, but it isn’t essential. Also, if you would like to join in, but don’t want to watch the movie, show, or play, but only read the books, that is fine, too. An example is here.


MORE UNDER SPOILER
(view spoiler)[

“Buddy Reads” (“BRs”) include:

• A reading schedule which can range from 50, 75, to 100 or so pages a day.

• Discussion questions posted daily by moderators and occasionally group members
   who help one of us out. If you want to be a Discussion Leader, let us know.

• If the book is really long, we'll plan a break day.

• Members do NOT have to answer every question, they are meant to stimulate
   conversations about the books AND allow us to glance back upon them when the
   sequels come out. This helps us to remember what exactly happened in the previous
   book.

• We find the buddy style of reading to be more fun than just posting one or two
   sentences about a book. We feel this is what distinguishes us as being a ‘book club’
   rather than just another GoodReads ‘group.’

• If you can NOT start the book on time, feel free to join in at a later date. They are
   set up to make it easy to do so.

• Moderators are people too, so occasionally we get sick, have to work late at our real
   jobs, or have something that keeps us from writing the questions. Please forgive us;
   we're only human and we don't get any compensation for what we do--not even
   free books!

• Discussions and questions are set up to make you think, analyze, and see things you,
   or even we, may have missed. Feel free to add your own thoughts at any time, if you
   think we've missed something.

• If you've read the book, feel free to let us know what you thought about the book.
   You can do so at the end of the buddy read, or, if you can't wait, add spoiler tags
   before you comment like:

   **************BEWARE! SPOILER FOR THE END OF THE BOOK**************

   Or insert a (view spoiler)[spoiler (hide spoiler)]. If you do NOT know how to do so, just check out our
   GoodReads 101 explanation on how to Insert a Spoiler.

• If you are looking for a reading buddy, post an inquiry in our Buddy read requests thread. Use that thread, if you want to have a repeat read of a BOM
    or buddy read, too.

• Have fun! We always do when more than one person joins in. And we look less silly
   if someone else discusses a book with us. (hide spoiler)]

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Woohoo! Waiting with bated breath!!

*wringing hands waiting for buddy read to start**

I picked up my copy today! Can't wait until July 1st to start reading.

Looking forward to it!

Will join if my loan comes in on time!

The wait at all the libraries is until 2019 so I decided to sneakily buy a copy. I literally ran upstairs to hide it from my husband who will just go "but you have so many books right there in the bookcase you haven't read!" LOL.
I look forward to reading this book with you all. I have it safely stashed away :)

lol, Chava! My husband stopped questioning the "need" for more books when I just looked at him in confusion. haha Glad you will be joining us. :)

Kristie wrote: "lol, Chava! My husband stopped questioning the "need" for more books when I just looked at him in confusion. haha Glad you will be joining us. :)"

He did say last week that I deserve to buy a book once in a while as I work so hard...I think that basically gave me a free pass :) so I bought 2 books hahahaha

I should say that books in Australia are so expensive. I wish I had known about the 2nd hand bookstores in the US when I was there last year. I should have brought a second (massive!!) suitcase to carry books with me. Alas, it didn't work out that way and now I just have to sneak them in so once in a while (read at least once every 2 weeks) LOL

Stephen King would approve!

Hi guys! Mind if I join this one? I bought it too, and this is a great reason to move it towards the top of the pile.

Absolutely! Join in. :)

Jenny wrote: "Hi guys! Mind if I join this one? I bought it too, and this is a great reason to move it towards the top of the pile."

Yey!! I have it next to my bed on the top of the pile as well, LOL

I got lucky and found this at the library this week. Unfortunately, there is a 150 person wait list, so I will have to get it finished in the next 2 weeks. I'll go ahead a read and post and then wander back when everyone else is reading to discuss!

I'll join if the my hold comes up at the library! This will be my first Stephen King.

Sarah wrote: "I'll join if the my hold comes up at the library! This will be my first Stephen King."

How is it possible that this will be your first? The Stand, The Shining, Carrie, Misery?

Wow.
I so hope this is a good one, so you go back and read the brilliant ones that you have missed!

Jenny wrote: "Sarah wrote: "I'll join if the my hold comes up at the library! This will be my first Stephen King."

How is it possible that this will be your first? The Stand, The Shining, Carrie, Misery?

Wow...."

I've seen a number of his movies but never read a single one of his books! I've never explored much of the horror genre so I'm not sure how I will feel about his books. I don't like scary movies much at all. So I'm hoping this one works out!

His books are typically so much better than his movies. He puts a lot of detail into them and his imagination is difficult to transfer to the screen. I hope you really enjoy this one too!

I can't wait to start this. I'm hurrying up with a book I'm reading now so I can start this one on the 1st of July. So excited!!

I just got my copy from the library! Can't wait to read with you all, I have read some of his books and I love his writing style - all details, ugh.. so good :)

Team Hermione

I'm still waiting for my copy from the library. Still hoping to join!

Sarah wrote: "I'm still waiting for my copy from the library. Still hoping to join!"

the wait for this book at the 8 libraries I'm a member of was so long that I decided to just buy it. I think the earliest was August but I'd have to pay $2 and I'd have to read it in 2 weeks. The free reservations weren't available until 2019!!

So excited to start this one! It will be a nice reward after the Quidditch match!!

Started this one a little early because it has been staring at me accusingly all month and I haven't read any Stephen King for a while ;)

Megan wrote: "Started this one a little early because it has been staring at me accusingly all month and I haven't read any Stephen King for a while ;)"

How is it so far, Megan? Did you read the Hodges trilogy?

Chava wrote: "Megan wrote: "Started this one a little early because it has been staring at me accusingly all month and I haven't read any Stephen King for a while ;)"

How is it so far, Megan? Did you read the H..."

I haven't read the Hodges trilogy so this is my first Crime/Thriller of King's that I've read! I'm enjoying it so far, I'm only a few chapters in but it's already got me pretty hooked.

I started this yesterday as I have 5 days before it's due back to the library. I'm about 80 pages in. Have to admit, I'm pretty annoyed I have to go to work today, cause I'm dying to get back to it! Grabs you quickly!

Stop! I have to focus on Quidditch!!

Sorry Jenny! It's just so tough to put it down once you've started! :p

Jammin Jenny wrote: "Stop! I have to focus on Quidditch!!"

Sorry, Jenny! I'll be quiet now -- mostly because I'll be reading. ;)

Good luck in Quidditch!

I'd like to join this one! I have the book and I'm ready to start July 1!

Stacey wrote: "Jammin Jenny wrote: "Stop! I have to focus on Quidditch!!"

Sorry, Jenny! I'll be quiet now -- mostly because I'll be reading. ;)

Good luck in Quidditch!"

Thanks!

This sounds like a great book! I can't wait to join all of you with this one :)

How far through are you now Stacey? I just finished it - couldn't put it down!

Megan wrote: "How far through are you now Stacey? I just finished it - couldn't put it down!"

I have not had much time for reading the last 2 days, so just got to "The Arraignment" section. But I inadvertently took a peek at the end of that section, so I know what's going to happen!

Unfortunately, it looks like I will have to pass on this Buddy Reas. The book hasn't come in for me from the library. If there is a miracle, however, I'll join!

Hope ya'll enjoy!

ahh that's a shame Sarah, maybe you can just start a little late if it comes in for you :)

Stacey wrote: "Megan wrote: "How far through are you now Stacey? I just finished it - couldn't put it down!"

I have not had much time for reading the last 2 days, so just got to "The Arraignment" section. But I ..."

haha you "inadvertently took a peek"??? Naughty! I thought that first section was super good though, no idea what to think!

Megan wrote: "Stacey wrote: "Megan wrote: "How far through are you now Stacey? I just finished it - couldn't put it down!"

I have not had much time for reading the last 2 days, so just got to "The Arraignment" ..."

I am a horrible peeker! But this time I really didn't mean to see it. :)

(view spoiler)[ Pretty high body count already in this one! (hide spoiler)]

I'm through page 320ish. Just finished the "Holly" section.

(view spoiler)[ Love Holly's character already. I like that I'm starting to like Ralph despite what he did initially. The guy with the "straw eyes" is really creeping me out -- I imagine that he is supposed to! I'm anticipating that they will find a string of bodies with different dead "murders" between Dayton and OK. Still fascinated with the whole thing. (hide spoiler)]

Started! I don’t know exactly where I am because I have the audio, but I’m about 20% in. I’ll pay more attention to what part/chapter is announced before leaving a spoiler.

So far, I’m completely engaged. I can’t wait to find out more and learn what’s going on. As always with King, I love the story telling and character development to this point.

Not sure how much more I’ll be able to get to today. I hope to sneak in a little more reading time later on, but can’t listen with the kiddo around. Can’t wait to see everyone else’s thoughts!

I am 20% in and like always with King books you just get sucked in it and there is no wait to get out of this hole :D

So, far I really like it. Already want to know everything and quickly.
I really like the development of characters and story.

(view spoiler)[I am very confident to say that Terry is not the killer. First, too many witnesses, it's too suspicious. Secondly, It's King - nothing is like it seems. (hide spoiler)]

I was thinking the same as your spoiler, Elen. Of course, that doesn't mean I can explain it...

I'm finished. Overall, found it very interesting, and with good pacing and great characters. I'm going to go check out Mr. Mercedes!

The end. (view spoiler)[ Really?? The big bad was taken down by a blow to the head from some weights in a sock?? Without attempting any kind of fighting back?? I'll admit the worms were creepy, and the cave itself was intimidating, but the confrontation was lame. (hide spoiler)]

I am around 55% done.

First time when The Outsider aka (view spoiler)[The guy with the "straw eyes" (hide spoiler)] was mentioned it was creepy - I am home alone at 3 am in pitch dark reading King book - best time for his books - brings more realness to his books. :D

(view spoiler)[I really like Holly and that she is so openminded and badass character. She should be detective not finder, but she is really good at what she does.
Jeanette aka Ralph wife - I like how she is involved in the story and that she talks so much about the book and all theories and she is opened to something supernatural when her husband is not.
Marcy and her girls - I hope that the "team" can prove that Terry was innocent and they will have good and stable life in town and don't have to move out to have "normal" life.
(hide spoiler)]

Finished!

Overall, I really like the story and the pace of it. Characters were really well described. Well written story! Will definitely check out Mr. Mercedes

(view spoiler)[I really liked the when all of they were discussing The outsider and following Holly's story even if it sounds so impossible.
I wasn't really happy how they get rid of "The Outsider" - sock with something heavy. What?? But that inside was worms, that is cool :)
And his comment that there is more of them in the world - creepy and scary *muhahah*
(hide spoiler)]

Stacey wrote: "I'm finished. Overall, found it very interesting, and with good pacing and great characters. I'm going to go check out Mr. Mercedes!

The end. [spoilers removed]"

Agree. I was hoping for something more creative, but that works too... sometimes simple thing are the best :)

I enjoyed the Mr. Mercedes trilogy, Elen. Hope you love it.

Elen wrote: "Finished!

Overall, I really like the story and the pace of it. Characters were really well described. Well written story! Will definitely check out Mr. Mercedes

I really liked the..."

(view spoiler)[I was kind of underwhelmed with the defeat of The Outsider too! It seemed like it was more of a challenge to beat Hoskins than it was the actual Outsider himself! (hide spoiler)]