Book Snails Book Group discussion

Pien asked if we could have a randomly generated book o' the month. So as not to be confused with a group selected BOM, I'm naming this book of the month after her. I hope she doesn’t mind.
I'll post a random selection each month. Let us know if you are interested in reading it, plan to read it, have read it, or even, why it may not appeal to you. We're interested in what you've got to say.
It's always fun to get a book discussion going.

September 2022 - The Death of Mrs Westaway

This sounds interesting…
I just finished an audiobook this morning and was able to get this one immediately so I’ll give it a go. I’ve only read one of her other books, The Woman in Cabin 10, and while I wasn’t overly impressed, I did give it 3 stars and remember it being a fairly easy read.
What do you think Pien? How exciting to have a challenge named after you! 😊

🤣 It made me laugh out loud when I saw the notification. I love it! And I’ll try to read all picks, naturally!

It really sounds interesting and it’s available in my own little library so I definitely will read this one.

Pien wrote: "🤣 It made me laugh out loud when I saw the notification. I love it! And I’ll try to read all picks, naturally!"

Well, don't stress about it though! I have a Ruth Ware which i keep meaning to read. I'll see if they've got this at my library.

Just finished chapter 7 and I can’t understand (view spoiler)[why on earth she would put 60 pounds in a donation bin when she is so utterly broke with so many bills she can’t pay! I mean, if she was feeling nostalgic, why not just drop a pound? 🙄 (hide spoiler)]

Go, Erin. I've got CDs on order! I thought that might be more fun than a traditional book.

Keli wrote: "Go, Erin. I've got CDs on order! I thought that might be more fun than a traditional book."

A friend of mine saw that I’m reading it and said she really enjoyed the audiobook herself. It’s a very easy listen!

Almost done… kinda bummed about how predictable it was.

It seemed pretty clear that (view spoiler)[Ezra was Hal’s father from the flashback at the lake when the photo was taken. And I think it was even earlier that I figured the woman Hal believed to be her mother was probably actually Maud, though I wasn’t certain what happened to Maggie. The one surprise for me was that Ezra killed Maud because she was planning to tell Hal the truth about everything. (hide spoiler)]

One chapter to go, but it’s gonna wait until tomorrow…

🤗👍

I shall pick up my copy tomorrow. 13 cds, remember those shiny things?!

Keli wrote: "I shall pick up my copy tomorrow. 13 cds, remember those shiny things?!"

Wow! I think I got through this one in like 3 days. That sounds like so many 😂

Piens Random Review of The death of Mrs Westaway

So, as this Random pick was a little bit my idea (or fault 🙈), I feel responsible to offer a random, non-spoiler review. (No, not really responsible, I’m joking)
So how random was this book? I’d say, the main character, the storyline and the scenes in which everything happens are so made up, the Grimm brothers are watching jealously down from heaven. Reading it didn’t make me root for Hal, the main character, because she was so obviously a made up person for a made up story. As she lost everything, she had to fight, and when temptation came around the corner, she had to try and go for it. Will her dreams come true? - Doesn’t that sound like a Christmas movie trailer?
So, I didn’t like the book? I didn’t say that! I’m fond of Christmas movies, and while Erin thought it was pretty predictable, I myself was curious about the ending. I liked the drama, and some persons in there felt almost real and had a warmth that was touching.
Some things were indeed quite obvious. As is the role the Tarot cards play in the book. A bit too superficial.
So. If you are picking up the random pick, how entertained will you be? If you read it as a holiday story and aren’t too critical, I’m quite shure you will enjoy it. If you want to be blown away by it, well… Get yourself some fireworks.
For me it was three humble stars, and an enjoyable relaxing read.

Pien wrote: "Piens Random Review of The death of Mrs Westaway

So, as this Random pick was a little bit my idea (or fault 🙈), I feel responsible to offer a random, non-spoiler review. (No, not really responsibl..."

😂 I must concur about the fireworks!

Did I hear a loud boom just now? 😄

Here is a random October pick. Wild Swans: Three Daughters of China

Ooh, it's a non-fiction. Though I am not a fan of non-fiction generally, this sounds pretty good. But i still have Mrs Westaway to start and finish.

It really sounds interesting, I hope to find a copy!

I am still trying to get through Mrs Westaway. I got one disc done, but can't seem to find the time to finish. I am going to make some journals for Xmas, so will try to finish while sewing and gluing.

New month, new book:

At the Medio School for Girls, distinguished young women are trained for one of two roles in their polarized society. Depending on her specialization, a graduate will one day run a husband’s household or raise his children, but both are promised a life of comfort and luxury, far from the frequent political uprisings of the lower class. Daniela Vargas is the school’s top student, but her bright future depends upon no one discovering her darkest secret—that her pedigree is a lie. Her parents sacrificed everything to obtain forged identification papers so Dani could rise above her station. Now that her marriage to an important politico’s son is fast approaching, she must keep the truth hidden or be sent back to the fringes of society, where famine and poverty rule supreme.

On her graduation night, Dani seems to be in the clear, despite the surprises that unfold. But nothing prepares her for all the difficult choices she must make, especially when she is asked to spy for a resistance group desperately fighting to bring equality to Medio. Will Dani cling to the privilege her parents fought to win for her, or to give up everything she’s strived for in pursuit of a free Medio—and a chance at a forbidden love?

Oh too bad… not available in my country

I'm ten discs in to 13 of Mrs Westaway. I'm not really sure where that puts me percentage wise, but i must be quite close to the end. Anyway, i will just say- why has no one fired that old crone of a housekeeper. The old lady is dead and she only left 30k for the cranky biddy. Kick her to the curb!

Oh my, Keli. I would EAT those last three discs! 😆

Because I am a bit rubbish, I am just going to choose a Pien pick for the Jan bom and create a poll for Feb.

Hmm, i finished that Mrs Westaway over the Xmas period. Cannot say it was brilliant. A solid two and a half to three star read. Some things were obvious but other choices left me wondering "what the heck?" Not a bad random choice though.

Pien, I almost forgot to add a January selection. The randomiser chose Kindred.

I've read this one. It's a great concept, well told. I recommend it.

Thank you!! That sounds great, and it was already on my tbr. Is there anyone else that has read it or wants to read it?

I read it in 2019 and gave it 3 stars but don't really remember much about it now 🤷🏼‍♀️ so I guess it was forgettable for me 🙈

February random is Crash by J.G. Ballard. This one sounds weird. But it might still be awesome.

Weird? Awesome? How about UGH! EW!

My two cents.

I’ll skip this random too. Sounds bizarre!
More luck next month! :-)

Candace wrote: "Weird? Awesome? How about UGH! EW!

My two cents."

Candace, have you read everything?!
I can't say it's ugh, but it sure sounds it. I was out when I read that it's like William S Burroughs. I really can't be doing 1950s and 60s misogynist drivel.

Keli no I haven’t read this. But the description told me everything I need to know about how much I’d hate to read this book! Totally not for me. 🤮

I went to the library last night and saw Crash there. Was able to pass it easily. New month, new book.
I thought I would change this up a bit this month. It's still random but instead of just using one of my sites I'd use all 4. So four random options this month.
1.
2.
3.
4.

Yay a diverse and interesting selection.

Where are the four options?

Candace wrote: "Where are the four options?"

The covers in post 36.
The Refugees
Nostromo
The Watchmaker of Filigree Street
The Immortalists

Do we vote on one, or do we just choose t read the one we like best?

Candace wrote: "Do we vote on one, or do we just choose t read the one we like best?"

Just choose. They're just a selection spit out of four different online book generators. Pien liked the idea of a randomly generated book. Since Crash was a disaster, and To the Lighthouse a snoozefest, I thought I'd offer a selection this month for greater appeal.
Do you like the look of any of them?

I’m torn between the watchmaker and the immortalists. You?

I like the Watchmaker and Nostromo. I've read the Immortalists. I gave it four stars, rounded from three and a half.

But I've never managed to finish Heart of Darkness, so will more likely try the Watchmaker. As long as I can get it from the library.

I just borrowed the ebook of watchmaker. Shall start ot tomorrow or Sunday.

I’ll start watchmaker soon too. Thanks for the input!

I’m going for the immortalists, it’s on my tbr. The watchmaker was a nice book I read a few months ago. I think I even gave it four stars.