Books and Jams Readalong discussion

I'm so excited to get going with this one!

What did you think of this first section?
Did you have expectations coming into this book?
Any surprises so far?
What do you think of the characters/plot/pacing?

Krista wrote: "I'm so excited to get going with this one!

What did you think of this first section?
Did you have expectations coming into this book?
Any surprises so far?
What do you think of the characters/p..."

I'm perhaps writing a bit prematurely. (I'm only at the top of chapter four.) But I love what I've read so far. This is classic Moyes--characters who fascinate you, some you can cheer for, others you'll want to hold at arms length at best. I love the contrast of the well-bred English woman being pulled into the heart of Appalachia. What an incredible contrast. If I were Alice, I'd have a nasty case of buyer's remorse about now. The new husband seems less-than lackluster once the lights are out or once they're in a private place like the picnic at the end of chapter three.

Right now, Izzy fascinates me most. She has as much room for development as does Alice; she's worth keeping an eye on, I suspect.

Thanks again for the motivation I needed to rescue this from a TBR pile on a hard drive.

I have mixed feelings about this book so far. I am enjoying the writing and find it very atmospheric-- I feel as if I am in Kentucky right along with the characters. I also really like the idea behind the Packhorse Library Project, and it is fascinating that this was run by women. I love how important the promise of books is to ordinary peoples' lives. Finally, as a whole, I am liking the characters, their spunk and determination.

I agree with Nolan that Izzy is perhaps the most intriguing character, and I am glad to see that by the end of Chapter 5, she is beginning to enjoy her new role as packhorse librarian. As a person with a physical disability myself who is familiar and agrees with much of the controversy surrounding ME BEFORE YOU, I was prepared for Izzy to be a young, curmudgeonly character much like the protagonist of MBY. It seems though that she is thriving on Margery and Alice's acceptance of her and that she is finding ways to adapt the job that make it possible for her to perform tasks more easily. That is great, and a huge improvement for Jojo Moyes. However, I do think she as an author is uncomfortable with disability and does not know much about how people with disabilities feel about their situation. When Maegery goes to ask Miss Sophia to care for the books at the library, she is uncomfortable at seeing Sophia's brothers stump from his amputated leg. Furthermore, Izzy calls herself a cripple, and her own assessment of her own abilities is not accepted. These ableist attitudes are probably very true to the late 1930s time period. My question is, why do you need to put characters with disabilities framed in such a negative way into the story? Readers with disabilities are accustomed to the fact that few books portray our experience. I'd like to have a few words with Moyes along the lines of, "You've already written the ME BEFORE YOU series... what do your disabled characters add to the story beyond perpetuating ableist attitudes? I am hoping that Izzy eventually brings something positive to the storyline.

Anyhow, I apologize for ranting on about this, as it is really a minor detail of the story. All in all, this book is shaping up to be a unique and interesting read.

This comment is wonderfully written and on track. I do a lot of cringing and shuddering at how blind people are portrayed in literature. I’ve since finished the book, and I’d love to get your take on Izzy when you’re done.

Absolutely, thanks for understanding my perspective!

I am loving the book so far. I like all of the women characters and a couple of the men. "BUT" Bennett Van Cleve needs to cut the apron strings from his father. Alice married him to get away from her family and because he was good looking. Too bad no one ever told Alice that looks aren't everything! I am hoping she dumps him soon.

I am enjoying hearing how much the mountain people like the librarians coming to read. It was touching how Alice took the time to read to Garrett Bligh. And Izzy is finally coming around and realizing she's got this!

This is my first Jojo Moyes book, and so far I’m enjoying it. I was a bit on the fence before I started it so it’s a nice surprise.
I like the characters pretty well, particularly Alice, Izzy, and Margery. None of the men are that impressive, and some are just awful. Hopefully that will change in some way.
I do like reading more about the traveling library. I have also read The Bookwoman of Troublesome Creek (?) and I think I’m liking this one a bit more. It seems to delve more into the different characters than that book did.

I'm finally getting to this one! Squeezing it in here at the end of the month. It seems to be reading pretty quickly and I'm sure I'll finish it before July is over.

I am loving the women librarians and reading about how the pack horse libraries work. I don't think I could be one, but I could be a Miss Sophia and organize home base! I loved the last scene in Ch 5 where they all start to think of each other as friends thanks to some moonshine and singing. I really look forward to seeing where this goes.