Nothing But Reading Challenges discussion

This thread is open to discuss The Alice Network by Kate Quinn.



Synopsis
In an enthralling new historical novel from national bestselling author Kate Quinn, two women—a female spy recruited to the real-life Alice Network in France during World War I and an unconventional American socialite searching for her cousin in 1947—are brought together in a mesmerizing story of courage and redemption.
1947. In the chaotic aftermath of World War II, American college girl Charlie St. Clair is pregnant, unmarried, and on the verge of being thrown out of her very proper family. She's also nursing a desperate hope that her beloved cousin Rose, who disappeared in Nazi-occupied France during the war, might still be alive. So when Charlie's parents banish her to Europe to have her "little problem" taken care of, Charlie breaks free and heads to London, determined to find out what happened to the cousin she loves like a sister.

1915. A year into the Great War, Eve Gardiner burns to join the fight against the Germans and unexpectedly gets her chance when she's recruited to work as a spy. Sent into enemy-occupied France, she's trained by the mesmerizing Lili, the "Queen of Spies", who manages a vast network of secret agents right under the enemy's nose.

Thirty years later, haunted by the betrayal that ultimately tore apart the Alice Network, Eve spends her days drunk and secluded in her crumbling London house. Until a young American barges in uttering a name Eve hasn't heard in decades, and launches them both on a mission to find the truth...no matter where it leads

      ~ 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)]

res

This looks really interesting-can’t wait!

I’m hoping to join you all for this one! (Team Tonks)

Talia, you have the cutest profile picture ever!

JanEyre9 wrote: "Talia, you have the cutest profile picture ever!"

Thanks! I wish it was my dog but I just found the pic it online. Such a cute puppy!

I am running late on this! Will definitely start tomorrow--so sorry!

I just started this one without even knowing there was a buddy Reed! Lucky me :)

Team Hermione!

I finished the first chapter, wow, what a start! It definitely has a different feel than I expected.

While both are good, I'm definitely preferring the Eve chapters over Charlie. I just want to know more about Eve and her past. Oh, and it was easy to guess where Rose's story was going.

Just finished chapter 7, got called into work today and so I didn't get much in. I am liking Finn. I like Eve, too. When Charlie's chapters come, I just feel like they don't move enough, I don't know if that makes sense. The visit with the aunt was super depressing

Page 264 , finished chapter 21

(view spoiler)[ this is moving along a lot better now. Charlie was getting on my nerves, she was just coming across as such a whiny spoiled brat, but since she left her mother, things are better, I think. I'm really worried about Eve. Eve in the past and present. Things are just getting rough and after her visit with Violette, I'm worried she's going to get Alice/Lili/Louise killed. so i'm a basket case (hide spoiler)]

Finished
I couldn't put it down today
(view spoiler)[ It started kind of slow for me and I think while I was incredibly nervous reading about Eve's time and all that, it was much more compelling than Charlie, though I was very glad to see that she got her HEA with Finn--who I did adore. (hide spoiler)]

I am STILL on the waiting list for this one :( I'll catch up as soon as I can get a copy!

Sharon wrote: "I am STILL on the waiting list for this one :( I'll catch up as soon as I can get a copy!"

ugh, waiting sucks-can't wait to hear your thoughts!

I'm still reading...so don't worry, you won't be alone!