For The L♥ve of Reading discussion

Group Read Winner for May 15th to June 15th.

Let's talk about The Host. If you have read the book already you can jump in and let us know what you think, the parts you liked, and the parts you disliked.

I've already the host and I personally really liked it. It seems to be a love it or hate it book so I'll be interested to see what everyone else thinks

I also really liked it. I thought the whole science fiction thing would turn me away but it really wasn't about that and I really liked it! As long as you can get past the first 4-8 chapters or so it's worth it. I can't wait for the movie to come out!

it took forever for it to get started, but once it did, i loved it! i am not a huge jared fan, but i love ian!!! i have read it twice and both times i cried at the same part at the end of the book! so great and a nice change from twilight.

Sounds like we will be looking at a pretty good book. I can't wait to dive it. It should be arriving by mail soon. :) I love new books, well, new to me.

Got the book today in the mail!

I love The Host. I feel like I should hide my face or something because it seems like so many people have issues with Stephenie Meyer, but I love her work. I have actually read this book three times. The first while I was in Albania waiting for my husbands immigration. I love love loved it! The new paperback has a bonus chapter at the end (ha, I read it in the middle of the grocery store).

I'm glad you loved it. I'm hoping to dive into it soon. Thanks for telling us about the bonus chapter. I might just have to do the grocery store trick as well ;)

I already have this book thanks to my daughter.I'll start it as soon as I finish my current book.

Yeah, that makes a few of us who will be reading The Host.

I hope all of you that have read it can jump in and let us know what you think or ask questions about the book.

I'll probably never touch it. Twilight has scarred me for life in every way possible.

I know I'm a few days early, but I couldn't resist reading this for the 3rd time; I just finished. I love this book. Even though I know what's going to happen I can't help but cry at certain parts, all of them at the end. Wanda's decision, her encounter with Ian and especially with Jared. So sad and beautiful and emotional; it get's me every time! Love it!

Guitar Chick-Dolly Dagger wrote: "I'll probably never touch it. Twilight has scarred me for life in every way possible."

Hmm... you'll never touch the Host? Twilight scarred you? You don't like Meyers I'm guessing.

Guitar Chick-Dolly Dagger wrote: "I'll probably never touch it. Twilight has scarred me for life in every way possible."

I completely agree with you.

I have The Host and I love the book. I really enjoyed the story but I agree with Angela it's one of those books that you either love or hate it. But it really is a good read and I like that it is a group read. I think most will enjoy it!!!!

Good to here. Once I knock off the Bourne Identity I'll be hitting up The Host.

Jen wrote: "I love The Host. I feel like I should hide my face or something because it seems like so many people have issues with Stephenie Meyer, but I love her work. I have actually read this book three ti..."

Jen, I don't think you should hide your face. Like whatever you want to like. If we all liked the same thing life would be very boring!!

That being said, I read about the first 75 pages of the Host when it first came out and I just could NOT get into it. I did read the Twilight series and though I enjoyed them, I didn't think they lived up to all the hype that continues on about them. They definitely weren't the best story I have ever read, but Stephanie Meyer somehow knows how to hook her readers.

Dara wrote: "Jen wrote: "I love The Host. I feel like I should hide my face or something because it seems like so many people have issues with Stephenie Meyer, but I love her work. I have actually read this b..."

That is so true. I suppose I've never really heard an author slammed as much as her so I feel like saying positive is going to get me in some kind of trouble (even though I know it won't). It's kind of funny you say that though, the part about it being boring, because it is so true. A lot of the reasons people didn't like her books are the reasons I loved them (I still think the movies aren't that good). There are books I hated that people give 5 stars and ones I loved people hated. I would hate to only be able to read books that I gave 1 or 2 stars.

By the way, I know what you mean about getting in to The Host and having trouble. It took a little bit for me, maybe the first several chapters. For me, it was because of how she started. All of it was so knew I was kind of confused. My mom actually almost stopped reading the book as well.

Sounds like there is a love hate relationship with this book.

Dara is right. If we all liked the same books and hated the same books life would be very boring. I love seeing all of the book personalities on here. I love talking about some of the controversial books. Like The Host!

I starting reading Twlight before it was oh so cool and popular with 13 year old girls, I liked it and I will still admit to liking it. It might not have a lot of value but I read to relax and escape I just want to be able to enjoy myself

i loved the host.even more than twilight

Jen wrote: "Dara wrote: "Jen wrote: "I love The Host. I feel like I should hide my face or something because it seems like so many people have issues with Stephenie Meyer, but I love her work. I have actuall..."

Jen, I think a lot of why Stephanie Meyer is slammed so much is the same reason boy bands are. She appeals to a tweenage, squealy girl so she "can't" be taken seriously right? There are some boy bands that I really like their music and I think are fun, but they are typically short lived because the rest of the world writes them off based on the 13yo girl following. That being said...Justin Beiber still sucks! lol

Angela wrote: "I starting reading Twlight before it was oh so cool and popular with 13 year old girls, I liked it and I will still admit to liking it. It might not have a lot of value but I read to relax and esca..."

Exactlyyyyyyyy Angela! I too read to escape. I am not looking for literary genius etc...just something to take me away. I read somewhere, and don't have any idea where to give due credit, that reading is away to go someplace else, when you are otherwise unable to. THAT is what I read for, to escape the every day life.

Definitely. Its why I have a hard time reading books that are too sad. I need something to cheer me up and get my mind away from the things I don't want to think about! I tried to get my book club to make our name "Escape from Reality", but apparently it didn't work for everyone else.

Dara, that made me laugh. I think because its so true! Plus, I loved your following with Justin Beiber still sucks! HA!

I still read the sad stuff and then cry like a baby and then my faince doesn't like me and I have to find something happy to do before bed (which is the main time I read) seems counter-productive doesn't it??

Angela wrote: "I still read the sad stuff and then cry like a baby and then my faince doesn't like me and I have to find something happy to do before bed (which is the main time I read) seems counter-productive d..."

Sometimes a girl needs a good cry! I'm serious. Sometimes I purposefully will watch (or read) something I know will make me cry just because I need a good cry! My husband so doesn't get it. Men...

lol so true

There is that! I think the next book I am going to read is My Sister's Keeper so I have a feeling there is crying in my future

I haven't read the book, mostly because I'm not a huge fan of Jodi Picoult, but the movie I did see and man... the tears would not stop! I think I cried half the movie!

The Host has a huge theme of duality - what are people thinking of that? How could you both love and hate someone in your head? Can that also translate to ourselves - aren't there pieces of yourself you'd love to rid yourself of, other parts that you feel are really the essence of YOU? What makes you yourself?

Those are very insightful questions. I'll keep them in mind while I read The Host.

Yes, there are pieces of me that would be better off being left behind. But then again, if I lost those pieces I wouldn't be me.

Rough around the edges... but they can always be rounded. :)

Karli- I think you can definitely have a love hate relationship with someone in your head and still not have an alien residing in it (:P) There are several people very closely related to me who I feel that way about. It's very hard on me and I'm sure the person(s), but life has proven to be nothing but...

Jo- so true, I'd say my anger is WAY worse than others. But, they say admitting it is the fist step and I did that about 3 years ago. Still waiting on the 2nd step.

Elyssa - Instead of rounding, I'd like to slice off some things, mostly physical though. Oh well, I'm stuck with it. Someday hopefully I'll learn to be happy with it.

Also, Elyssa, I know this folder is for talking about The Host, but are we allowed to talk about things that are considered spoilers? If so when? I would like to talk about some things in the book, but I don't want to ruin it for others.

I loved this book! I'm just joining this discussion again so did anyone say anything about the movie? I heard that Ian Somerhalder, from the Vampire Diaries, is rumored to be playing Ian! I sure hope so I love him!

Kate wrote: "I loved this book! I'm just joining this discussion again so did anyone say anything about the movie? I heard that Ian Somerhalder, from the Vampire Diaries, is rumored to be playing Ian! I sure ho..."

Really that would be cool to see him in the movie... I was actually in a discussion about the book Hush Hush and if they ever made that a movie we thought he would be great for the part of Patch, but I could definitely see him as Ian in the Host too!!! I loved the book. I read as soon as I finished the Twilight series. I love Stephanie Meyers writing style!!

Ian Somerhalder would be better as Kyle, but I still picture Ian & Kyle as 2 big guys. I think Somerhalder isn't big enough. I think someone like Channing Tatum for Ian O'Shea. One of my other groups is a Stephenie Meyer fan group and they have a folder discussing this. They have some really good picks.

When I read the Host, someone close to Ian Somerhalder was actually who I pictured. Though sometimes I tend to ignore character descriptions and build them the way I want to.

i imagined him but with a straighter nose and blue eyes

**Carla** wrote: Really that would be cool to see him in the movie... I was actually in a discussion about the book Hush Hush and if they ever made that a movie we thought he would be great for the part of Patch, but I could definitely see him as Ian in the Host too!!!

I would LOVE him for Patch too! He'd be abolutly perfect!

Kristen wrote: "When I read the Host, someone close to Ian Somerhalder was actually who I pictured. Though sometimes I tend to ignore character descriptions and build them the way I want to."

It's true. The main female lead always ends up looking like me. haha! I think that would be a great starter topic for a psychologist. lol!

Paperd0ll *evil fiddler*Tisiphone* wrote: "i imagined him but with a straighter nose and blue eyes"

That's right, because Kyle had has his nose broken a lot. I forgot about that. James McAvoy has the best blue eyes, its like looking into a beautiful pool of blue. I swear they glow. Thats what I imagine Ian's eyes look like. Although, I don't imagine McAvoy for the part, just his eyes.

Jen wrote: "Karli- I think you can definitely have a love hate relationship with someone in your head and still not have an alien residing in it (:P) There are several people very closely related to me who I ..."

I'll make a Spoilers thread for people who have completed the book or for people who want to take sneak peaks.

Who is your favorite character from the wide range offered?

What is your favorite part of the book so far?

I think Jeb is my favorite character. He is so smart yet he doesn't let on. *Someone House might be able to learn from.* He also protects everyone and keeps the house in order. He doesn't jump to conclusions but he also is not a soft person to be walked on. Jeb is def a great character.

I also love Jared because he is a hot head but also because his character develops a lot throughout the book.

My favorite seen was when he kissed Wanda and then he was punched. I laughed out loud for awhile over this part!

jeb's a great character - all you said !

hehe i loved the punching part too

I loved Jebs subtle ways of getting Wanda to be accepted. I loved how he'd pretend to be sleeping and just listen to her stories.

I loved Jamie and how he knew. How he just loved her and knew that Mel was there too!

i don't think I could actually pick a favourite character but I really do like mel/wanda, jared, jamie,jeb and ian and they all have their own parts that make them great!!

as far as a fav part of the book i would have to re read it to find one again since it's been at least a year since I have read it.

Thats ok Carla.

I enjoyed it all. My aunt thought it was boring. But I had fun through the whole book. But by far I like the punch in the face scene!

It is a book I will def re-read!