Final Discussion Post - Lost Lake by Sarah Addison Allen

Last discussion post of the book! *wistful sigh* I can't believe a whole month has already come and gone. I'm going to cheat a little bit this week and pull some interesting questions from the book club pamphlet that was printed to go with this book! I didn't want to do it too early, because there were spoilers.

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DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

Chapters: Chapter 12 through End

1.  Eby’s falling-down resort attracts misfits of all kinds, some more likable than others. Which characters did you find the most endearing? And which, inversely, alienated you? Were there others who won you over by the novel’s end?

2. Certain characters, like Kate and Eby, experience their life’s magic as a sort of enchantment, unpredictable and yet not unpleasant. Did that carry over to you as you were reading it? Did the characters’ easy acceptance of day-to-day magical happenings make it easier for you to believe in them too?

3.  The women in Kate’s extended family are all too experienced with widowhood. Eby calls it the “Morris curse.” But all of the widows react very differently to their tragedies. What is it about some of the Morris women that makes them especially vulnerable to losing themselves in grief? What, do you think, would have happened to Kate and Devin had Kate never ‘woken up’ from her own sorrow?

4. Eby says that if “we measured life in the things that almost happened, we wouldn’t get anywhere.” Do you agree? You may wish to talk about your own fateful “almosts” as well.

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MODERATOR THOUGHTS

I have to say that the one character that slowly made her way into my heart was Selma. I really wanted to dislike her at the beginning. Despite the fact that I could see the want in her heart, the need to be loved, I disagreed with how she went about it. The end totally smashed that to pieces for me. She became a big piece of this story, and I adored her for it. If there was a character who I disliked, that would have to be Lazslo. Which makes sense since he's our "villain" of sorts. Profit weighs out over everything for him.

One of the things I absolutely adore about Sarah Addison Allen's books is that the magic she pours into them just becomes a part of the story. There wasn't a doubt in my mind that Selma would have love charms, or that Billy would have become an alligator. If there was any place those things could happen, I truly believe Lost Lake would be it. I do think that the fact that the characters just accept these things as fact, that their hearts and minds are open to the magic, does make it easier to take it all in. You just know it's part of the story, and you embrace it.

Moving on to widowhood, I did a lot of thinking about this question. I think the driving factor for the Morris women who came out of their sorrow was that they had something else to pour their life into. Eby lost George, and she was sad, but she had Lost Lake and its memories and inhabitants to pour herself into. When Kate lost her husband, I think allowing Cricket to take over almost moored her completely in her sorrow. The fact that she had nothing to focus on, because everything was being done for her, allowed her to wallow. When she "woke up" and realized that Devin needed her, that was the end. She poured all her love into Devin, and then into Eby, and I think that made her a better person.

Ah, I love this quote SO MUCH. It's such an elegant way of saying the more popular "When one door closes another one opens." Eby is a woman who didn't dwell on the past. Relished it, sure. Relived it, definitely. But she never allowed herself to fall into it and stop moving forward. I've been in positions before where I had the option to just sit, and mourn a lost opportunity. I think Eby is right though. It's picking yourself up from that, and moving forward anyway, that life is all about. An almost is just an almost. It's the things that actually happen that make it all worth it.

Discussion Post #3 - Lost Lake by Sarah Addison Allen

Happy Monday darlings! Sorry for the delay, our server was down on Saturday and then I just forgot on Sunday. Lol. Let's get started on our new discussion, shall we?

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DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

Chapters: Chapter 8 to Chapter 11

1. Let's start with Selma. We get a lot more background into her life, and how she became who she is today. What's your opinion of her now? Has it changed since the beginning of the story?

2. There's a definite sense that Eby might not want to let go of Lost Lake. What do you think is keeping her there? Do you think the party will change her mind?

3. Sarah Addison Allen's stories always bring a magical quality to an otherwise normal place. In this case, there's some magic involved in bringing Kate and Wes together. What did you think of Devin and her alligator?

4. Give us your predictions for the ending. Will Eby travel? Will she sell? Will Kate stay? Lay them out!

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MODERATOR THOUGHTS

Okay, so I'm a little biased in starting with Selma because these chapters blew me away! I've been intrigued by her character since she first appeared, and I kept wondering what had made her so detached. Learning about her childhood, and the woman who gave her the charms, made me feel so much more for Selma. I think she's just a lonely woman looking for love, and she's afraid that she's pushed everyone too far away to find it. I'm hoping for a happy ending for her too!

Now Eby, well I don't think she wants to sell. I hope so much that Kate is going to take over for her, but more I hope that she does what makes her happy. I think that Lost Lake is a big part of her, but her need to travel also tugs at her. Hopefully she can have both? I'd miss Lost Lake, and I have a strong feeling that the citizens of the town are beginning to realize that they would too. After all, this party has gotten a little out of hand in terms of size.

Ah, the alligator. It's the thing I love about SAA's books. There's this magical undertone that only adds, but doesn't take away. I love the fact that it's supposedly Billy in the alligator. That he finally was able to escape, and is now trying to communicate to Wes that he's happy and okay. I also absolutely adore that Wes and Kate are slowly moving closer. I truly believe that, wherever that letter is, it says they're meant to be together. I think that too!

So, the ending. I know it's going to be bittersweet, because SAA's endings generally are. I'm predicting that Kate stays, and Wes helps her at Lost Lake. That they'll get their own happy endings. I'm also thinking that Eby will actually leave to travel, because it's what she wants. OH! And I almost forgot about Lisette! I think she's finally found love. :)

Discussion Post #2 - Lost Lake by Sarah Addison Allen

Happy Saturday ladies and gents! It's time for another magical discussion post of Lost Lake by Sarah Addison Allen. Heads up, I actually missed a piece of the book on my breakdown! If you finished at the end of chapter 8, keep going until you see the page that says "Part 2". Trust me, you'll want to! It's another flashback!

Moving on, discussion time!

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DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

Chapters: Chapter 4 - beginning of Part 2

1. In this series of chapters we see more of Lost Lake, and the people who frequent it. How are you liking the setting? Do you feel like it's a character in its own right?

2. Cricket's true motives come to light. How has your opinion of her changed? Has it? Do you see Kate in a different light now?

3. How do you predict that Wes will fit into the picture?

4. We've been given another glimpse into Eby and George's younger days. How did you feel about the new information that came out about Eby and her family?

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MODERATOR THOUGHTS

Let me tell you, I'm in love with Lost Lake. I keep thinking how much I'd love to go there, especially once Eby described it as "a haven for misfits". It's the kind of place where magic happens. Where imagination is allowed to bloom, and people fall in love. I'm not going to lie, I'm hardcore swooning over it. If there's one thing that SAA does well, it's create places that come alive.

After reading these chapters, and finding out more about Cricket, I can't say I like her at all. I think she's important though. Without her motives, without her want to completely take over Kate's life, things wouldn't be moving forward. Cricket is opening Kate's eyes to how much she wants her own life back. Kate is realizing that she's ready to move forward and I think Eby sees it too. I'm hoping with all my heart that she takes over Lost Lake!

Ah, Wes. Such a tragic backstory, but such a sweet chance meeting with Kate. I'm not sure whether I would happier if they rekindle what they might of just had, or if they just help one another get over their mutual losses. I know we haven't seen a whole lot of Wes, but he seems like a perfect match for Kate. Both dreamers, both lost. Maybe they can find one another? I hope so.

As I said above, I totally missed the little piece at the end of chapter 7, which if you haven't read stop right here and go read before you read this!

I loved having another glimpse into Eby and George's younger days. They were so wild, and free-spirited. This particular flashback also broke my heart though. Now I understand why Eby was always so distant from her family. Why she and George gave up all their money in favor of happiness for the two of them. Marilee and Eby's mother are the type of characters that I love to hate. I see their necessity, but it doesn't make me like them. So selfish, so frustrating.

Discussion Post #1 - Lost Lake by Sarah Addison Allen

Are you ready for our first discussion post of the year? I sure am! I just know this is going to be an amazing year of reading, and hopefully of discussions as well. Remember, next month is novella month! Don't forget to fill up our community bookshelf with lots of novellas that you'd like to read!

For those of you who are new to discussion posts, here's the skinny:

* They stay open all month, and we chat on them all week. So don't worry if you don't come in until a few days after this goes up. People will still respond to you!

* This is an ongoing discussion post. You can add things whenever you want, even if new posts have gone up!

* Have fun, and be honest! Everyone is entitled to their opinions and we promise to play nice.

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DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

Chapters: Prologue - Chapter 3

1. Let's start simple. Is this your first Sarah Addison Allen book? If so, how do you feel about her writing style? If not, how does this stack up to what you've already read in terms of atmosphere?

2. Eby and George are only hinted at in the prologue. How do you feel that their story is going to factor into the rest of the story?

3. What are your feelings on our main characters. Do you feel for Kate, or feel like she's weak? What do you think about her parenting style regarding Devin?

4. What do you predict Lost Lake will bring to Kate's life?

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MODERATOR THOUGHTS

Being completely fair, this is the first Sarah Addison Allen book I've read in a very long time. I was introduced to Garden Spells by the lovely Keri, and fell in love with the way that Allen writes. There's something magical about her stories. I'm sure we'll see that even more as the story progresses, but I can already see it in the haunting losses that are portrayed for each member of this family. Lessons are coming. I can feel it.

Eby and George were a wonderful prologue couple. They made me fall in love with the romance that Paris afforded them, and I would have loved nothing more than to continue to follow them. I'm especially intrigued by the way they discovered Lisette. I adore her, and I think that her and Eby are going to be a guiding force in the way that Kate is waking up now.

Which, as you can probably tell, means that I don't dislike Kate at all. I feel like she's handled her loss the way a lot of us out there would. Hiding inside yourself is kind of necessary when you can't handle what's outside. What I love is how strong and original Devin is. I adore how much Kate is proud of her free-spirited daughter, and how she nurtures her in that respect. Devin is wonderfully independent.

I predict that Lost Lake is going to bring out the Kate that existed before she lost her husband. I'm hoping to see more flashbacks, but I also think this is going to be about fixing Kate's broken heart and making her whole again. I'm already in love with this setting and I can't wait for more!

Our first read of 2015!

We're very close to 2015! I hope you've been having fun taking a break from reading, and instead completing challenges and chatting it up with your fellow bookworms! I really hoped that it would get people fired up for our new reads in the new year.

Are you ready to find out what we'll be reading in January? Our first read will be Lost Lake by Sarah Addison Allen.

From the author of the beloved bestseller Garden Spells comes a beautiful, haunting story of old loves and new, and the power of the connections that bind us forever…

The first time Eby Pim saw Lost Lake, it was on a picture postcard. Just an old photo and a few words on a small square of heavy stock, but when she saw it, she knew she was seeing her future.

That was half a life ago. Now Lost Lake is about to slip into Eby’s past. Her husband George is long passed. Most of her demanding extended family are gone. All that’s left is a once-charming collection of lakeside cabins succumbing to the Southern Georgia heat and damp, and an assortment of faithful misfits drawn back to Lost Lake year after year by their own unspoken dreams and desires.

It’s a lot, but not enough to keep Eby from relinquishing Lost Lake to a developer with cash in hand, and calling this her final summer at the lake. Until one last chance at family knocks on her door.

Lost Lake is where Kate Pheris spent her last best summer at the age of twelve, before she learned of loneliness, and heartbreak, and loss. Now she’s all too familiar with those things, but she knows about hope too, thanks to her resilient daughter Devin, and her own willingness to start moving forward. Perhaps at Lost Lake her little girl can cling to her own childhood for just a little longer… and maybe Kate herself can rediscover something that slipped through her fingers so long ago.

One after another, people find their way to Lost Lake, looking for something that they weren’t sure they needed in the first place: love, closure, a second chance, peace, a mystery solved, a heart mended. Can they find what they need before it’s too late?

At once atmospheric and enchanting, Lost Lake shows Sarah Addison Allen at her finest, illuminating the secret longings and the everyday magic that wait to be discovered in the unlikeliest of places.

Get your copy ready to go! We'll start reading on Sunday, January 4th. 

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