Together by Book Girls Guide | Site-Wide Activity

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Jen B replied to the topic This is the book I picked for April and I actually loved it! in the forum Happiness for Beginners by Katherine Center

Wed, 24 Jul 2024 00:50:30 -0500

I was not expecting to love this book as much as I did. It was fantastic!

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Sun, 14 Jul 2024 16:37:05 -0500

Laurie Buffington replied to the topic Augh. in the forum The Royal We by Heather Cocks & Jessica Morgan

Sat, 13 Jul 2024 13:47:33 -0500

I liked this book. It was light but very funny in places and thought the leaf characters had great chemistry.

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Tue, 02 Jul 2024 21:56:04 -0500

Elsi started the topic This Forum in the forum Non-Challenge Help Requests

Mon, 03 Jun 2024 03:22:00 -0500

I don’t see a topic for ICYMI: 2016 — has the forum died?

Mary Louise Eck started the topic The Characters in the forum Tides of Honour by Genevieve Graham

Fri, 24 May 2024 22:00:21 -0500

Did you see the characters in this book as realistic? Were they hiding something from the other characters, perhaps covering up insecurities or failures?

Mary Louise Eck started the topic What made you select this book? in the forum Tides of Honour by Genevieve Graham

Fri, 24 May 2024 21:57:19 -0500

What made you choose this book?

Even though I grew up in New England, I had never heard about the explosion in Halifax, Nova Scotia, except for the giant Christmas tree that Nova Scotia still sends to Boston every year.

How would you compare the explosion and World War I in the lives of the characters?

Jaimette replied to the topic Surprise in the forum Wish You Were Here by Jodi Picoult

Fri, 17 May 2024 12:11:17 -0500

I agree this was a surprise twist! I love this author because of her surprise twists that I often don’t see coming. This wasn’t my favorite, but very timely for the time present.

medications are powerful things and our bodies certainly have protective mechanisms in times of trauma so an alternate reality certainly seems possible even thoug…Read more

Jaimette replied to the topic Nice. Book #2 in the forum First Frost by Sarah Addison Allen

Fri, 17 May 2024 12:04:43 -0500

I agree. I read Other Birds, between this series and really enjoyed it too! I can deal with this author’s magical realism which is a nice surprise, as not my favorite topic.

Patty replied to the topic An enjoyable read - in the forum Last Bus to Wisdom by Ivan Doig

Mon, 13 May 2024 15:09:06 -0500

I loved this book as well. The wrapping of the arrowhead in condoms about did me in! While the end was overly sweet, I’m glad it ended happily. All in all at great coming of age story.

Carol V replied to the topic Tone of book in the forum The Magic Strings of Frankie Presto by Mitch Albom

Sun, 12 May 2024 22:15:59 -0500

interesting observation.. Since it was a written as a tribute at a funeral the tone seemed appropriate . I interpreted it as a rejoicing of life choices . Since it was told from the perspective of music – the entity that bestows talent on beings- it was a tale of how talent can shape a life.

Carol V replied to the topic Nice. Book #2 in the forum First Frost by Sarah Addison Allen

Sun, 12 May 2024 22:09:14 -0500

It was eight years between reads for me– almost as much as the time jump in the stories so I barely remembered the characters so the reminders were needed. As per typical of the author stories revolved around the female characters- the male characters really only play when they are part of the soul mate connection.

Shelli Truax started the topic Would you have taken trip on the Lusitania given the circumstances? in the forum Dead Wake by Erik Larson

Fri, 10 May 2024 13:39:54 -0500

I found this book fascinating! As always Erik Larson didn’t disappoint. I was deeply curious as to why someone would decide to travel despite the political times and blatant warnings that were given.
Despite the luxuries described, I don’t think I would have chosen to take the voyage.

Tammy Wasserman replied to the topic Great Ending in the forum Inside the O’Briens by Lisa Genova

Fri, 10 May 2024 12:11:14 -0500

I have picked up another of her books titled “Still Alice” about a woman with early onset Alzheimer’s . I’m hoping to enjoy it as much as the O’Brien’s.

Laura DiBacco started the topic Found something new in the forum Recipes for Love and Murder by Sally Andrew

Thu, 09 May 2024 11:23:37 -0500

Did anyone else read this for the Challenge? At first, I thought it might be a “cozy”, but it was so much more. It has great characters and descriptions of the location. I learned so much about Klein Karoo in South Africa. I suggest listening to the Audio version, to get a sense of the language. When researching more about it, I found they mad…Read more

Heather started the topic An enjoyable read - in the forum Last Bus to Wisdom by Ivan Doig

Wed, 08 May 2024 06:17:35 -0500

I love Ivan Doig’s writing, his turn of phrase and development of characters. This book was no exception. I would have gone to 5 had the ending been so utopian/wrapped up in a perfect little happy ending bow. I thought we were headed for heartbreak.

I do think there were some misogynistic treatment of Aunt Kate. I can’t imagine sending an 11 yea…Read more

Susana replied to the topic Nice. Book #2 in the forum First Frost by Sarah Addison Allen

Sun, 05 May 2024 11:59:35 -0500

I agree with everything you said. I wanted more Tyler too… either way, like you said, I enjoyed both books as well.
If you haven’t read Other Birds by the same author, give it a go. It was the first book I read by this author and it’s lovely.

Kelly replied to the topic Nice. Book #2 in the forum First Frost by Sarah Addison Allen

Sun, 05 May 2024 04:44:05 -0500

Garden Spells had been on my TBR for years, so First Frost gave me a reason to get to it. I enjoyed both books and also read them back to back.

I did notice the many descriptions and explanations of characters in First Frost from the first story, but I didn’t think much on it. I absolutely loved Garden Spells, though, and felt First Frost d…Read more

Susana replied to the topic Surprise in the forum Wish You Were Here by Jodi Picoult

Sat, 04 May 2024 12:37:18 -0500

This was my first Jodi P book and I went in just thinking of reading and visiting Galapagos from my arm chair, I was not expecting the twist at all! It made stop and think about the different realities we can live. I enjoyed the book.

Susana replied to the topic Nice. Book #2 in the forum First Frost by Sarah Addison Allen

Sat, 04 May 2024 12:28:10 -0500

I really enjoyed both books, but I read them back to back and I thought that First Frost had too many descriptions and explanations of each character and what happened to them in book one. Did you noticed that too?

Jaimette started the topic What a fun book in the forum Miss Benson’s Beetle by Rachel Joyce

Thu, 02 May 2024 17:26:12 -0500

What a quirky read that was so much fun! I did the audiobook which was great!!!

Such growth in the characters to find friendship.

if you like Eleanor Oliphant is completely fine, you will like this book too!

Jaimette started the topic Message of hope and dispair in the forum October in the Earth by Olivia Hawker

Thu, 02 May 2024 17:22:09 -0500

I picked this book because I needed a story with traveling by train, but this book was so much more about love, hardship, friendship, the culture of hobos, family relationships.

I really liked this author and have added books to my TBR list!

I would have not found this book without this list. Thank you

Jaimette started the topic Nice. Book #2 in the forum First Frost by Sarah Addison Allen

Thu, 02 May 2024 17:13:51 -0500

I am so glad I read this book. It was a great extension of book one and the likeable characters of the younger Waverly family as well as catching us up on the sisters!

Just enough of the Apple tree to appreciate it’s value, yet make the story real.

it was on my TBR list. I was happy to have a good excuse to ele…Read more

Jaimette replied to the topic Fairy tales in the forum My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She’s Sorry by Fredrik Backman

Thu, 02 May 2024 17:07:01 -0500

I attempted this book, got 50% in and gave up. I have only give. Up on 6 books in the last 600 so I don’t often do that.

Maybe it was the fairy tale aspect? This is my second book from the author- I read Anxious People in January and also struggled, but finished.

Jaimette replied to the topic Not just another YA book in the forum All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven

Thu, 02 May 2024 16:57:41 -0500

I couldn’t agree more with your post. Well said!

Kris Ingra started the topic Surprise in the forum Wish You Were Here by Jodi Picoult

Thu, 02 May 2024 04:01:30 -0500

I was definitely surprised by the twist in this story. I had never heard of this COVID phenomenon. Were you? Had you?

Kris Ingra replied to the topic Great Ending in the forum Inside the O’Briens by Lisa Genova

Thu, 02 May 2024 03:58:33 -0500

It certainly left me wanting more.

Susana replied to the topic This is the book I picked for April and I actually loved it! in the forum Happiness for Beginners by Katherine Center

Wed, 01 May 2024 20:57:16 -0500

I think, Things You Save in a Fire is my favorite one by this author.

Juliee replied to the topic Fairy tales in the forum My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She’s Sorry by Fredrik Backman

Wed, 01 May 2024 20:24:43 -0500

Honestly I’m still not sure if any of the magical stuff was true or just an kids imagination and there was just a big dog & people her grandma “rescued” from other countries?? 🤷🏼‍♀️ So I was like is it just a big dog eating buckets of chocolate & cookies or some huge magical beast!?!? It was a hard story to put imagery to in my head that’s for sur…

Nancy Bethel replied to the topic Backman in the forum My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She’s Sorry by Fredrik Backman

Tue, 30 Apr 2024 15:33:38 -0500

Yes, the fairy tales were a little strange for me too at first. Except it turns out that the fairy tales are true stories. At the end, I felt like I should go back and reread them with this knowledge in mind!

LynnS replied to the topic What made you select this book? in the forum An Inquiry Into Love and Death by Simone St. James

Tue, 30 Apr 2024 12:12:56 -0500

I read The Sundown Motel which I enjoyed. Before that I had never heard of this author, but I now plan to add more of her books to my TBR pile.

LynnS replied to the topic Audio vs Written in the forum The Boston Girl by Anita Diamant

Tue, 30 Apr 2024 11:44:10 -0500

I also listened to the audio and felt it personalized the story. I think reading this book would have been less engaging.

Patty Carroll replied to the topic Quotes from My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She's Sorry in the forum My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She’s Sorry by Fredrik Backman

Mon, 29 Apr 2024 18:58:11 -0500

I read this several years ago, but I wrote down the quote “only different people change the world.” Such wise words.

Kathleen Witt started the topic Ending shocker in the forum The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah

Sun, 28 Apr 2024 17:24:33 -0500

Was anyone else surprised by the ending? I was sure it would go a different way.

Karen Hempler started the topic Did you you enjoy the hole book being letters and only to sister? in the forum Letters From Cuba by Ruth Behar

Sun, 28 Apr 2024 02:58:58 -0500

I found at times I would have liked part of the daily life being story with journal style letters being thrown in along with it? What did all of you think of it only being letters from her?
I really loved the book and the stories and I felt I learned a lot about Jewish life in a new Cuban country for her? How did you feel did it seem like it was…Read more

Dolores Ferrero replied to the topic Fairy tales in the forum My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She’s Sorry by Fredrik Backman

Fri, 26 Apr 2024 15:29:32 -0500

It took me a minute, but as the story progressed, I loved the fairy tale aspect of the story. It gave Elsa a connection to each of the characters her grandmother sent her to learn more about, in a context she could understand. Once she saw where they fit in the fairy tale, who and how they were became more clear… both to Elsa and to the reader.

Heather started the topic Augh. in the forum The Royal We by Heather Cocks & Jessica Morgan

Fri, 26 Apr 2024 14:57:26 -0500

I found this to be very frivolous and silly. It was a disappointing read for me.

Dolores Ferrero replied to the topic Quotes from My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She's Sorry in the forum My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She’s Sorry by Fredrik Backman

Fri, 26 Apr 2024 13:47:48 -0500

I captured a ton of favorite quotes, many of them centered around the “different” theme… And yes, I wondered if Elsa was on the spectrum.

”Elsa is the sort of child who learned very early in life that it’s easier to make your way if you get to choose your own soundtrack.”

”…Read more

Dolores Ferrero replied to the topic Backman in the forum My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She’s Sorry by Fredrik Backman

Fri, 26 Apr 2024 13:41:31 -0500

I’m also a huge Backman fan. I’ve read Ove and Britt-Marie, and I’ll pick up Bear Town for next month’s challenge. While it took me a minute or two to wrap my head around the Land of Almost Asleep (because it’s been quite a number of minutes since I’ve been an almost-eight-year-old), part of what I enjoy about Backman is that he forces me to slow…Read more

Jaci started the topic Who else read this? in the forum A Disappearance in Fiji by Nilima Rao

Thu, 25 Apr 2024 17:43:34 -0500

I would love to discuss this with someone, any one?

Cheryl Deffen replied to the topic Love, love this this writer! in the forum Secrets of a Charmed Life by Susan Meissner

Thu, 25 Apr 2024 12:08:58 -0500

This was the first book I’ve read by her and I really enjoyed it. I didn’t care for the main character in the beginning but my opinion sure changed after the first part and was rooting for her.

Julie started the topic Trinidad and Tobago in the forum The God of Good Looks by Breanne Mc Ivor

Tue, 23 Apr 2024 23:30:20 -0500

I picked this book because I’m in a challenge to read a book by an author from every country in the world. This was a nice selection from Trinidad and Tobago. A little heavy on the makeup content, but the book definitely held my interest.

Heidi replied to the topic Backman in the forum My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She’s Sorry by Fredrik Backman

Tue, 23 Apr 2024 21:17:59 -0500

I guess I’m just too impatient to be a Backman fan. I really do not like fantasies and there was just too much constant referring to the fairy tales and Land-of-almost-awake for me. I realize the grandmother made these stories up to help Elsa through each upsetting event in her life and they gave her strength to go on but after reading 130 pages I…Read more