Nothing But Reading Challenges discussion

Synopsis
Fourteen-year-old Madeline lives with her parents in the beautiful, austere woods of northern Minnesota, where their nearly abandoned commune stands as a last vestige of a lost counter-culture world. Isolated at home and an outlander at school, Madeline is drawn to the enigmatic, attractive Lily and new history teacher Mr. Grierson. When Mr. Grierson is charged with possessing child pornography, the implications of his arrest deeply affect Madeline as she wrestles with her own fledgling desires and craving to belong.

And then the young Gardner family moves in across the lake and Madeline finds herself welcomed into their home as a babysitter for their little boy, Paul. It seems that her life finally has purpose but with this new sense of belonging she is also drawn into secrets she doesn’t understand. Over the course of a few days, Madeline makes a set of choices that reverberate throughout her life. As she struggles to find a way out of the sequestered world into which she was born, Madeline confronts the life-and-death consequences of the things people do—and fail to do—for the people they love

      ~ 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)]

r

I haven't got anything booked in for July yet, so I'm flexible with timing

I have one BR on the 7th, and one on the 10th, so maybe a little later? After the 15th?

I might have time beginning of July, but that all depends on how my numerous BRs from June pan out. If I can keep up, I'll have time earlier, otherwise I'll be playing catch up hehe.

I can get it really easily, so mid July is fine for me.
I'm always a little nervous of Man Booker Prize books though... I hope it isn't too "literary" fiction!

I hope so, too!

But at least it sounds like an interesting read, which is a good start and not always the case either.

I've changed the start date to the 18th July. We can always alter it if need be ;)

Ok cool, thanks :-)

I will be joining in :)

Excited to read this!

Welcome Rachel!

I bought this when it came out, and it has been staring at me from a packed bookcase, asking why I haven't read it yet. So, I am in- one less book making me feel guilty. Team Remus Lupin.

I'm going to run a little late with this one.

Finishing up the current BOM and another BR, and a book I've been sneak-reading at work haha, but I should be able to pick this up this weekend, either on the 21st or the 22nd.

No worries. I have it on the shelf, but I'll read slow

Slow is good ;-)
Then I can read my other BOM that starts on the 23rd while reading this one. And hopefully also get Rosemary and Rue finally properly started.

Too many books, you say? Nope, I live in denial haha. No such thing ;-)

Haha you still haven’t started October Daye?! Sounds like you have some catching up to do!
I’ve read I Hunt Killers before and the Next BOM I’m just not in the headspace for. I’ve just read so many books based in WWII and concentration camps over the last year or so

Haha, no!! I just didn't get around to because I didn't have reading time at work and the books were slow reading and just general blergh. Real life getting in the way of bookish life unfortunately.

But I am right on schedule for I Hunt Killers, which I'm quite enjoying. It's a fast and fun read, despite the psychological edge it has (very interesting for a YA novel).

Agreed on the third BOM. It sounds very interesting and maybe some day I'll want to read it but not now. I need to be in the frame of mind for those kinds of books and there have just been too many of them.

Teehee

I had The Tattooist of Auschwitz from the library to do the breakdown for the BOM, and I’ve heard really good things about it... but I just can’t do it and took it back to the library today. Maybe in a year or so

I’m listening to a Jeffrey Archer book atm for our cleaning out the closet challenge and I’m really enjoying it. I think it’s exactly what I needed

Mmh, yeah, it's better to leave it for another time instead of forcing it. Pushing through the book might just make you hate it when you otherwise might have enjoyed it. And that would be a shame.

You know, I've never read a Jeffrey Archer book, not that I remember anyway hehe. The closet challenge is a little on hold for me at the moment, but will get back to it once I have all my current reads done. :-)

Hi all, I forgot we were starting this one today. I'll grab it off the bookshelf. If I can find it.
I am almost done with The Power, and just finished I Hunt Killers (I liked it too), so I will probably start tomorrow.

Please oh please tell me what the cleaning out the closet challenge is,

I have my library copy and will start it tomorrow :)

Cleaning out the TBR Closet

There you go! :-)

Thanks. I am totally joining this challenge!
I thought it was something like- listen to a book, and pledge to actually clean out a closet by the end of the book. Teehee.

Hahaha, not a bad idea either - and one I've attempted last year. Didn't quite work ;-)

Eldarwen wrote: "Cleaning out the TBR Closet

There you go! :-)"

thanks! i ought to sign up as well lol

Just started this one. I like the substitute teacher on first impression. Seriously that puts me at the end of the first chapter.
No idea where this is going, and I even stopped myself from reading the flyleaf copy. I bought this so long ago, I don't remember why I thought I should. Hopefully I will be happily surprised.

Eldarwen wrote: "You know, I've never read a Jeffrey Archer book, not that I remember anyway hehe. The closet challenge is a little on hold for me at the moment, but will get back to it once I have all my current reads done. :-)
..."

Me either. I think that's why it's in my closet challenge. LOL
so far, so good

Jenny wrote: "Thanks. I am totally joining this challenge!
I thought it was something like- listen to a book, and pledge to actually clean out a closet by the end of the book. Teehee."

LOL
now that is a fantastic idea

A few more pages in, and I was wrong. Don't like him. We'll see if my opinion changes again!

Chapters 1-3

I have no idea where this is going either. !

The whole Mr Grierson thing is a bit weird, I'm guessing he comes back to the story later? And what was that whole thing with Lily? I'm a bit confused

And Paul seems older than 4. It always surprises me when authors create these very young characters with great conversational skills lol

I'm tempted to go back and read the synopsis as I can't remember anything about this book or why it was even on my TBR :o

I'm going to try and read a few more chapters so that it may all start coming together

I read the back cover when I first got the book but I can't even remember it much. I think there was something mysterious/tragic going on?! I have NO clue anymore. But it sounded good at the time.

We'll see.

Finishing up 2 books today - yes, I will, yes I will. And then diving into this tomorrow.

I am about 100 pages in, and I still don't know where this is going, but I am enjoying it so far. Odd characters, cold setting. Maybe it is appealing to me because it is bloody hot here right now, and a frozen lake and large snowflakes sounds like nirvana right now. Curious if this ends up going somewhere, or if it just beautifully meanders. I am OK either way.

I'm 90 pages in now and agree with your comments! The Paul character is a bit odd (like the playground scene...) and I agree he seems older than 4.

The writing is really good though. I'm intrigued and very curious to know what is going to happen, esp to Paul.

Going to dive in now and see how far I'll get to day, if I have the patience to sit quietly with a book. I'm sensing that may not be the case for very long today haha.

As predicted, I haven't felt very much like reading this evening ;-)

But I finished the first chapter at least. Not quite sure what to make of the writing. And I don't have much of a clue what is supposed to be going with this Linda/Madeline girl. Grierson.. well.. we'll see.

The writing is well done and quite interesting but at the same time, it sort of distracts me from what it is supposed to narrate. Not that there seems to be a lot to narrate so far.

Just finished. I am at a bit of a loss on how I feel about this book. On one hand, the writing is haunting and interesting. On the other hand, (view spoiler)[ the story is disturbing as hell. First, what is with all the parents in this book? Completely absent in the case of Madeline, and Lily, and Paul's parents made me really angry. There was a case like this in Wisconsin, I think, and that made me mad too.

I apologize if my opinion on religion upsets anyone here, but, how is anyone OK with a child, who does not have the brain capacity or the knowledge to make decisions about anything, have to suffer because its parents make religious-based life choices on its behalf?

Sorry about the rant.

Linda was not the best person to have to make any good decisions about Paul either. She was a bit of a tragic figure herself. No friends. No parents really.
Leo was just despicable.

My brain is doing cartwheels trying to put into words what I am feeling about this story, and I am falling short, so I will leave it there. (hide spoiler)]

I'm up to page 155. Honestly still unsure of the book. I dont really like or care for the main character tbh. She is very frustrating for me to read. I don't understand her motivations for anything.

I had the same issue with her.

Hello everyone! Started reading this book yesterday and hope you don't mind me joining :)

Chapters 1-5

So far I think the writing is pretty stellar - coldness, descriptions of nature, the feeling of isolation of characters as well as the community are all done with great skill in my opinion. The characters are a little weird but it could be due to the first person narration and Madeline seems to be holding back a great deal.

I too am not sure where the story is going except that (view spoiler)[something's going to happen to Paul (accident on the lake?) as hinted in chapter one. Which makes me feel a little apprehensive about going forward to be honest (hide spoiler)].

Welcome to the discussion of the book that seems to have everyone flummoxed.
The writing is outstanding, isn't it?
I am looking forward to others finishing, so we can compare notes.

I haven’t been able to read anymore as I had a busy weekend but I’ll get through some more today 😉

Finished chapter 5.

The writing is lovely. The story is confusing. The main character is odd. So is Paul.

Elena wrote: "I too am not sure where the story is going except that (view spoiler). ..."

Welcome!

I don't know why, but I thought (view spoiler)[Paul did something to someone rather than something happening to him. (hide spoiler)] But some of the writing I find a bit confusing at times, so I could be wrong

Chapters 6&7

I'm still confused. Especially the behaviour of Madeline's mum. And the amount of time she is spending with her neighbours. I get the feeling that (view spoiler)[ Madeline is questioning her sexuality and is kind of attracted to Paul's mum. Anyone else get that vibe? Or is she just wanting to be like her? (hide spoiler)]

Karen ⊰✿ wrote: "Elena wrote: "I too am not sure where the story is going except that (view spoiler). ..."

Welcome!

I don't know why, but I thought [spoilers removed] But some of the writing I find a bit confusin..."

That is an impression I got as well. Especially (view spoiler)[after that scene in the playground where Paul crawled on top of that girl and started talking about God and healing. It sounded like a very odd thing for him to do since he seemed normal up until that point. (hide spoiler)]

I finished last night, sorry that I didn't update as I read but I had to limit the use of my phone. When i get back home tonight ill add a review and my thoughts :)

I agree with your last spoiler Eldarwen, took me by surprise as well

Karen I had thought same thing!

Me too. That went in a very different direction than I thought it would.

Karen ⊰✿ wrote: "I don't know why, but I thought [spoilers removed] But some of the writing I find a bit confusin..."

I didn't even think of that! It makes a lot of sense considering the scene on the playground.
Also I just finished chapter 10 and it appears (view spoiler)[Paul may be sick? And the trial could be the case of parental negligence perhaps? So many ways for things to go wrong! (hide spoiler)]