You'll love this one...!! A book club & more discussion

You are not limited to the two chosen books. You may read any book within the theme "MC over the age of 60" if you prefer.

In order to receive a badge you must:
1. have read the book before or during August 2025.

2. discussed it in this thread. Discussion must be more than "I read the book and I liked it". Discussion requires something more substantial and analytical of what you read. Please elaborate on your thoughts on at least 5 of the following topics:
- Setting
- Characters
- Writing style
- Genre
- How the book made you feel
- Which parts stood out
- Did you/will you read more by the author
- Anything else related to the book you find worth mentioning

This can be done in one post after finishing the book, but preferably in a few posts while reading. Please refer to our group spoiler policy for further information.

3. Report that you have read AND discussed the book in the reporting thread (include a brief summary of what you thought of the book).

General Rules:
1. Please mark your spoilers with the spoiler tags along with mentioning what stage of the book you are at so other's don't get a nasty shock. Chapter numbers/titles are generally best as they are the same across all formats and editions. See our spoiler policy
2. The book may be combined with the Year Long Challenge, Topplers, and Monthly Challenges.

Happy reading!

I'm currently reading The Marigold Cottages Murder Collective. The main character, Mrs. B, is an older woman. I don't know how old exactly, but someone made a comment about people over 70 when referring to her and she is described as elderly.

This is a cozy mystery with a beach setting and a great cast of characters. You are introduced to everyone in the beginning and they are not difficult to keep straight. I'm a little more than 1/3 into it now and really enjoying it. I've been able to guess a few things well before they were revealed, but I'm really trying not to think too much about it so I can just enjoy the story as I read it.

I just put that on my wishlist last night.

I started listening to The Hundred-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out of the Window and Disappeared. I had my doubts about it buy I think I will stay this it and use it for this month's theme.

Sandra wrote: "I started listening to The Hundred-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out of the Window and Disappeared. I had my doubts about it buy I think I will stay this it and use it for this month's t..."

This was a book that I had to read for our irl book club. This landed on my snoozefest shelf with a 2-1/2 star rating. I don't remember the book enough to discuss it with you. Sounds like there was some humour that gave it that 1/2 star.

I see it would have fit July's theme as well with the author Jonas Jonasson.

That was my first thought after a couple of hours of listening to it. I don't find it that funny as it is said in the description and some reviews. That said, I think the more I get to know the characters the more I enjoy the story. There is some absurd humor in it. It seems like a 2.5 - 3 starts to me. We'll see.

FIngers crossed that you enjoy it more as you continue reading.

I gave that one 3 stars. My review:

There were parts of this book where my mind would wander and other parts where I literally laughed out loud. If you have an interest in politics or history, you will probably enjoy this one more than I did. Either way, it’s worth a read.

My husband loved it. He gave it 5 stars. That probably affected my review. lol I really don't remember it, so it didn't leave an impression.

I read it in 2014, so well past the memory expiration date. I often forget details of a book in a few months unless it has an emotional impact.

I'm looking forward to rereading The Stone Angel for the themed read. I read it years ago, before I ever joined Goodreads so I'm curious if I'll still feel it's my favourite book. I have the hardcover edition in my library but I just downloaded the audiobook edition. Katrisa and I will be reading it in a buddy read. And no, I have little memory of this book.

I had to go check and I read it in June of 2018.

I’ve started reading The Gift of Rain. The main character is 72-year-old Phillip Hutton who is living alone in Penang. He is visited by a woman he knew many years ago, come to ask about a mutual friend, Endo-San, who has died.
I have read a few chapters, and Phillip is now starting to reminisce about his connections with Endo-San.
I’m sure I’ll enjoy it as much as I enjoyed this author’s other two books The Garden of Evening Mists and The House of Doors.

I've enjoyed Tan Twang Eng's books as well. I read The Gift of Rain back in 2016. I haven't read House of Doors.

The Gift of Rain has been in my TBR since 2016. Looking forward to your thoughts on it, Shirley.

Kristie wrote: "There were parts of this book where my mind would wander and other parts where I literally laughed out loud. If you have an interest in politics or history, you will probably enjoy this one more than I did. Either way, it’s worth a read"

I think having an interest in politics or history helps indeed. My first guess was that all those stories about Allan meeting Truman, Mao, Churchill, etc., and being involved in some way in all the important events of the last century, (view spoiler)[ was just him making up stories for his friends. But it is not, he actually lived through all of that. (hide spoiler)] I think the author is trying to make a point on how the most important events in the world might have been motivated by a silly reason, or a mistake, or someone who didn't know what they were doing. We tend to think people in power know what they are doing, and it might be us who do not understand the complexity of decision making at that level. I think the author is going against that perception showing that people in power might be as stupid, stubborn, and have no idea what they are doing, as anyone else.

I know you do not remember the story well enough, so I am not expecting a response as if you did. I'm just saying . :D

I will probably finish this one today, since I am still doing a lot of (late) (very late) spring cleaning at home. I'm doing the audio.

That's an interesting take, Sandra. I think that's a good possibility.

My “just because” book has a MC over 60.

I’ve started Vera Wong's Guide to Snooping On a Dead Man . I listened to Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers and enjoyed it but I’m reading this one and laughing even harder. Vera is only 61ish but plays up her “old age” to get people to do what she wants. She’s an exasperating busybody but hilarious.

Sounds fun Marnie.

I have the first one on my TBR, Marnie. So glad you're enjoying your read so much.

I finished the audiobook yesterday and my opinion didn't change much. I gave it 3 stars. It was entertaining although I didn't laugh that much as the description suggested. After being in my TBR for ages, I'm glad I read it, but I don't plan to keep going with the series.

I finished The Marigold Cottages Murder Collective. It was really good. I liked they way things ended for people, but the very ending tied it all together, which was great. It was certainly a 😮 moment. lol

my Marigold Cottages review

Kristie wrote: "I finished The Marigold Cottages Murder Collective. It was really good. I liked they way things ended for people, but the very ending tied it all together, which was great. It was ..."

I have this on my 2025 release wishlist. This makes me want to read it for sure.

I hope you enjoy it as much as I did, Janice.

I'm now over halfway into The Gift of Rain, and I was feeling a bit "underwhelmed", which was very disappointing. In the first half of the book, the relationships develop slowly, and a lot of detail about martial arts is woven into the story. However, now that the story has moved to the time of the Japanese occupation of Malaya in WW1, it is becoming more engaging. I'm keen to keep reading, as I am now enjoying it.

Good thing the story picked up, Shirley. I'm ok with books that are a little slow if they are well written, but sometimes I'm just not in the mood.

Sandra wrote: "I started listening to The Hundred-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out of the Window and Disappeared. I had my doubts about it buy I think I will stay this it and use it for this month's t..."

I enjoyed both that book and the sequel, but the humour worked for me. I liked the first one more, though.

I think I found the second half of the book funnier mostly because a part of the fun is knowing the characters better.

Sandra wrote: "Good thing the story picked up, Shirley. I'm ok with books that are a little slow if they are well written, but sometimes I'm just not in the mood." I agree. A well-written book is a pleasure to read, slow or not.

I think I'm going to read a few books that fit this theme this month. I will be starting The Stolen Life of Colette Marceau tomorrow. The protagonist is 89 years old.

The premise of the story is that Colette was taught to be a jewel thief from the time she was a child. They steal from "the cruel and unkind and give to those in need." In 1942, her family is caught up in a German raid and in the chaos her 4 year old sister disappears with a diamond bracelet sewn into the hem of her nightgown. Seventy years later, Colette sees that same bracelet in a museum in Boston.

I expect this will be a great story. The blurb is really interesting and I have enjoyed Kristin Harmel's writing in the past.

I'll be interesting in your comments. I like the sounds of that as well.

I just bought both books The Stolen Life of Colette Marceau and The Marigold Cottages Murder Collective with kindle credits. Thanks, Kristie!! LOL

Hope you love them, Jayme!

I finished Vera Wong's Guide to Snooping On a Dead Man which is the second of the Vera Wong cozy. I am not a big fan of the cozies but I love Vera as a character. I can so resonate her to my elders with her constant bickering and cooking. Again she is back to invite trouble and solve a murder. I gave it 4 stars!

I'm starting The Life Impossible today for the toppler. The MC is 72 years old.

My book started out interesting, but I didn’t care for the MC. I was ok with that and expecting this would be a story where she grows as a person. However, it took a turn towards the magical. I was expecting it to some extent, but this is excessive and I’m getting bored with the repetitiveness of this section. I’m hoping the story moves on soon because it’s really stalled.

I started a book last night for the Toppler Pied Piper which fits the group read theme as the MC is a 70 year old man.
I was talking about the book yesterday and mentioned that I noticed that the author seemed very popular in Europe and England. A friend of mine asked who it was and I said Nevil somebody. She replied Shute? And I said I think so. She started cracking up. She went to school in England and apparently he was taught in English schools like Mark Twain was in American schools.
He was required reading at the O levels in the 1970s. My book was written in 1942. I thought that was interesting.

I'm about 30% into the book and it is so good. Howard an older British gentleman is on a fishing holiday in France in the spring of 1940 and Germany has just crossed the Marne River. He is making plans to get back to England when he is asked to escort two children back to England also. He agrees and their terrifying adventure begins.

What I am finding amazing is that this book was written in 1942. The war hasn't ended yet, so the author doesn't know who will win, but there is so much hope in the book. As I'm reading this and certain dates are mentioned I am finding myself telling Howard don't go there buddy.

I forgot to update here. I finished The Life Impossible. It didn't really get better for me. I ended up speeding yup the audio just to get through it and gave it 2 stars. If it wasn't for the toppler I would have just put it aside.

I'm just wrapping up The Stolen Life of Colette Marceau now. I'm almost done and have enjoyed it. I'm thinking 4 stars.

Update: I finished and yes, 4 stars. It was very good, but there were a couple of reveals that I think were supposed to be surprising, but they were actually expected and it ended in too much of a neat little bow.

I finished the Pied Piper and it was so good. At first I thought it was going to be all telling as Howard the older MC begins to tell his tale of trying to transport the children out of France, but then Shute quietly changes the tense and you are actually in the story.
I will admit that there were a few bits that didn't age well, but they were not cringe worthy - just a sign of the times. I will be reading more from this author.

Jayme wrote: "I started a book last night for the Toppler Pied Piper which fits the group read theme as the MC is a 70 year old man.
I was talking about the book yesterday and mentioned that I ..."
That’s brought back memories from my school days. The book was required reading in Junior Secondary (Queensland, Australia). I have often thought about re-reading it because I really enjoyed it back then. Frighteningly, it was about 60+ years ago.😵

Don't forget to report your read!

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

I forgot to come here to say that I read Appleby's Answer by Michael Innes published in 1973 but taking place earlier in the century. Despite the book's blurb, the main character is a retired Scotland Yard Inspector, Sir John Appleby.

TThis was a bit of an odd mystery. Although the middle part was better than the first and last sections, it's 2 stars for me. Miss Pringle, an author has an odd exchange with a man on a train who offers to pay her $500 if she'll collaborate on a book with him, but seems rather crazy. In the end, she looks him up to see about this. Long story short, she starts corresponding with him about ideas for a novel. Retired Scotland Yard inspector Appleby happens to travel to this area with his wife and gets involved, because there is trouble afoot and possibly a murder is about to happen.

I hope my next read for this is better.