The War Bride Club - Final Discussion Post

Time to do the weekend dance, my bookish friends! You know the one. Where you jump for joy over the fact that you can actually sleep in tomorrow if you choose? I sure do love me some weekends. I know you've all been itching to discuss the final portion of this book so here you go!

Let's talk The War Bride Club.

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DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

It's the end of book free for all! Share with us your final thoughts on anything that strikes your fancy!

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Share out in the comments below! Disqus has this great feature where it creates a waterfall effect for replies, to keep discussions easy. You might want to sign up for an account. It will notify you if someone replies to you. Also don't forget that the Top Commenter gets rewarded! I love seeing your discussions!

My Thoughts?

Okay, so call me a bitter betty if you so choose but honestly? I'm a bit disappointed at the ending. You are welcome to disagree with me :). In fact, I welcome it! I just am never a fan of books where all the characters end up with a HEA. Why? Mostly because I feel like it's just not even close to reality. Still, since this is technically historical romance I'll let it slide. After all, romance books pretty much always have a happy ending. It's the way of the world!

In terms of my favorite characters though, I was thrilled for Betty! I knew it was coming around the corner. I knew she'd eventually get her man. Still, I couldn't help but get a huge, cheesy grin on my face when he finally proposed. They will be perfect together! And the fact that he's not asking her to forget his brother is just too sweet for words. *swoon*

I also think that the ending for Madeline was well done. It's kind of one of those, things are good but we'll see won't we? type endings. I'm digging it. I'm not the type who cares if everything is wrapped up tight with a pretty little bow, as long as it makes sense.

Overall? I liked this book more than I expected to! Being totally honest I would have never picked this up on my own. It's pretty far out from what I normally read. I'm glad I did though :). You guys are great pickers!

The June Book Pick is...

The votes have been tallied, and you have chosen a new book for June!

The winner is...

Antigoddess by Kendare Blake with 50% of the votes!

Old Gods never die…

Or so Athena thought. But then the feathers started sprouting beneath her skin, invading her lungs like a strange cancer, and Hermes showed up with a fever eating away his flesh. So much for living a quiet eternity in perpetual health.

Desperately seeking the cause of their slow, miserable deaths, Athena and Hermes travel the world, gathering allies and discovering enemies both new and old. Their search leads them to Cassandra—an ordinary girl who was once an extraordinary prophetess, protected and loved by a god.

These days, Cassandra doesn’t involve herself in the business of gods—in fact, she doesn’t even know they exist. But she could be the key in a war that is only just beginning.

Because Hera, the queen of the gods, has aligned herself with other of the ancient Olympians, who are killing off rivals in an attempt to prolong their own lives. But these anti-gods have become corrupted in their desperation to survive, horrific caricatures of their former glory. Athena will need every advantage she can get, because immortals don’t just flicker out.

Every one of them dies in their own way. Some choke on feathers. Others become monsters. All of them rage against their last breath.

The Goddess War is about to begin.

Reading begins on June 2nd!

I'll send out a newsletter closer to that date with a list of discussion post dates and a chapter breakdown.

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This book is traditionally published, and should be readily available at your local library. You can also find it on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Half.com, Abe Books and your local Indie retailer!

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Will you be joining us in June? 

Shout it out in the comments!

June Book Pick - Voting is OPEN!

It's that time again! Time to make your vote, and help us decide what we'll be reading in June. Based off of the suggestions you put together I've compiled a poll. You only get one vote, so choose wisely. Also, the results are hidden, so you won't know which book wins until I announce it ;). I love the power I have *cackles evilly*. 

Polls will close on Monday, May 26th at 11:00 am PST. So get those votes in, and check back on Monday night to see what we'll be reading next!

online poll by Opinion Stage

The War Bride Club - Discussion Post #3

It's Saturday, and it's a three-day weekend. Could anything be more perfect? Well perhaps if you add in the fact that it's almost time to pick our new book, it could be! The suggestion form closes at 2:00 pm PST, and the poll will go up tonight. Be prepared to pick your favorite!

For now, let's talk The War Bride Club.

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DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

*How do you feel about the different struggles that Soraya Lane has created for each woman?

*Is there anything that surprised you about this set of chapters? Anything you saw coming?

*Share with us your expectations for the ending. Are you expecting a HEA?

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Share out in the comments below! Disqus has this great feature where it creates a waterfall effect for replies, to keep discussions easy. You might want to sign up for an account. It will notify you if someone replies to you. Also don't forget that the Top Commenter gets rewarded! I love seeing your discussions!

My Thoughts?

I accidentally read past where I meant to stop today... oops. This book is just so easy to get lost in! I have to say that I'm thrilled it's been such a great read. Being completely honest, I would have never picked this up on my own.

I'm still utterly in love with Betty's story, and extremely hopeful that she's going to end up with Charlie's brother. Perhaps it's just me being a simpering girl about it all, but I desperately want her to get the happiness she deserves. Lord knows she's earned it. I'm on the fence about most of the other stories so far. Since I can't remember exactly where Chapter 34 stops, I don't want to go too far ahead in spoilers. What I will say is that I think Alice has a lot of making up to do. I know it's not her fault, I know she's only human, but I can't let it go. June is still June, and Madeline has my heart for now. Poor woman. No one should have to endure what's come her way.

Rambling done! I know half of this doesn't make much sense. I'll stop back to respond to your comments later on :).

Book Suggestions for June

Here are the book picks that have been submitted for June!

Note: I'll update this as new ones come in, so keep submitting. 

The form won't close until May 24th.

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In his international blockbusters The Da Vinci Code, Angels & Demons, and The Lost Symbol, Dan Brown masterfully fused history, art, codes, and symbols. In this riveting new thriller, Brown returns to his element and has crafted his highest-stakes novel to date.

In the heart of Italy, Harvard professor of symbology Robert Langdon is drawn into a harrowing world centered on one of history’s most enduring and mysterious literary masterpieces . . . Dante’s Inferno.

Against this backdrop, Langdon battles a chilling adversary and grapples with an ingenious riddle that pulls him into a landscape of classic art, secret passageways, and futuristic science. Drawing from Dante’s dark epic poem, Langdon races to find answers and decide whom to trust . . . before the world is irrevocably altered.

Chosen by: Tina
Length: 461 pages
Why should we read this? Since the last two months have been more of a romantic theme I thought a nice suspense/thriller would be a nice change of pace. Although I have read this once, I would love to read it again and discuss some of the underlying themes of the novel with fellow bookworms. Bonus: It's available in paperback for those without e-readers

Special notes: This is the fourth book in a series, but can be read as a standalone. Traditionally published.

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Old Gods never die…

Or so Athena thought. But then the feathers started sprouting beneath her skin, invading her lungs like a strange cancer, and Hermes showed up with a fever eating away his flesh. So much for living a quiet eternity in perpetual health.
Desperately seeking the cause of their slow, miserable deaths, Athena and Hermes travel the world, gathering allies and discovering enemies both new and old. Their search leads them to Cassandra—an ordinary girl who was once an extraordinary prophetess, protected and loved by a god.

These days, Cassandra doesn’t involve herself in the business of gods—in fact, she doesn’t even know they exist. But she could be the key in a war that is only just beginning.

Because Hera, the queen of the gods, has aligned herself with other of the ancient Olympians, who are killing off rivals in an attempt to prolong their own lives. But these anti-gods have become corrupted in their desperation to survive, horrific caricatures of their former glory. Athena will need every advantage she can get, because immortals don’t just flicker out.

Every one of them dies in their own way. Some choke on feathers. Others become monsters. All of them rage against their last breath.

The Goddess War is about to begin.

Chosen by: Kari

Length: 333 pages

Why should we read this? There is so much potential in this one to be discussed. it's a wonderful concept with a kick butt execution from an author I love.

Special notes: Traditionally published.

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Summer of 1876: San Francisco is in the fierce grip of a record-breaking heat wave and a smallpox epidemic. Through the window of a railroad saloon, a young woman named Jenny Bonnet is shot dead.

The survivor, her friend Blanche Beunon, is a French burlesque dancer. Over the next three days, she will risk everything to bring Jenny's murderer to justice--if he doesn't track her down first. The story Blanche struggles to piece together is one of free-love bohemians, desperate paupers, and arrogant millionaires; of jealous men, icy women, and damaged children. It's the secret life of Jenny herself, a notorious character who breaks the law every morning by getting dressed: a charmer as slippery as the frogs she hunts.

In thrilling, cinematic style, FROG MUSIC digs up a long-forgotten, never-solved crime. Full of songs that migrated across the world, Emma Donoghue's lyrical tale of love and bloodshed among lowlifes captures the pulse of a boomtown like no other.

Chosen by: Keri 

Length: 416 pages 

Why should we read this? As with most of my picks, I choose things that look interesting, but something I wouldn't normally read on my own. I try to pick books that I don't think anyone in the group has read, including myself. I like the idea of everyone reading a new book together.

Special notes: Traditionally published.

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On a warm summer morning in North Carthage, Missouri, it is Nick and Amy Dunne’s fifth wedding anniversary. Presents are being wrapped and reservations are being made when Nick’s clever and beautiful wife disappears. Husband-of-the-Year Nick isn’t doing himself any favors with cringe-worthy daydreams about the slope and shape of his wife’s head, but passages from Amy's diary reveal the alpha-girl perfectionist could have put anyone dangerously on edge. Under mounting pressure from the police and the media—as well as Amy’s fiercely doting parents—the town golden boy parades an endless series of lies, deceits, and inappropriate behavior. Nick is oddly evasive, and he’s definitely bitter—but is he really a killer?

Chosen by: Jessica

Length: 422 pages 

Why should we read this? I've been waiting to read this book for ages, and I think it'd be a really fun group read. The movie comes out in October too!

Special notes: Traditionally published.

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Book Club Selection Tips

So you want to submit a book club pick, but you don't know where to start?

Here are some helpful hints/tricks to guide you.

1. Read a sample!

Amazon allows you to read a sample of nearly every book they have for sale. Not sure if the book you're eyeing will be something good? Read a sample! This will also give you a good indication of the writing style and editing (or lack thereof). 

2. Consider discussion posts.

Simply put, do you think this book will generate good discussions? 

3. Consider the length.

While I will fully admit to being a "tome reader", some books are just too hefty and daunting for the average book club member. Try to pick something that is between 300-450 pages at most. Looking at a longer book? Email me! We might be able to break it into a 2 month read if enough people are interested!

4. Break the cycle!

Have the last two months of reads been romance? Break the cycle by picking a thriller, or a mystery! Don't be afraid to step out of your comfort zone. Reading it with a group sometimes makes it less scary :).

5. Look at the cost.

While I know we'd all love to have unlimited money where books are involved, that isn't always the case. Take a look at the book you're choosing and consider the following:

* Is this book available in multiple formats?
Traditionally published books can usually be found in paperback, and at the library. This helps members who might be on a budget.

* If this book is only available in ebook format, is it less than $5?
That's the limit per month we're looking at!

Have any other tips?

Shout them out in the comments and I'll add them to this post.

The War Bride Club - Discussion Post #2

So I've decided to switch the day that discussion posts go up to Saturday! It's just easier for me to get them up on a day when I don't have to worry about work, which tends to make me forget that this is supposed to be posted. Ha! Plus I figure it'll give people a chance to catch up with reading on Friday nights if they choose, so they can come into discussion posts fresh on Saturday :). It's a win for everyone!

Let's talk The War Bride Club.

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DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

*Have your perceptions of any of the women changed from when you first met them?

*Is there a new character that you relate to more than the others?

*What do you think about the author's decision to keep the women separate so far?

*Any thoughts on what might be coming around the bend?

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Share out in the comments below! Disqus has this great feature where it creates a waterfall effect for replies, to keep discussions easy. You might want to sign up for an account. It will notify you if someone replies to you. Also don't forget that the Top Commenter gets rewarded! I love seeing your discussions!

My Thoughts?

I finally had time to catch up last night, and I just finished Chapter 22 this morning. I'm being honest here friends, I'm devastated at how things are going! It's breaking my heart. If you'll recall, Alice was one of my favorite characters at the beginning of the story. I loved her fire, and her wit. I don't want to spoil anything for people who might be behind, but I really can't stand behind some of the choices that she's been making. I mean, yes I do understand where she's coming from, but really?

I think my new favorite character is Betty. I feel so deeply for her, and I'm really hoping that there are good things coming around the bend for her. Maybe a romance of her very own? I know she's too broken right now, but she deserves all the good things life can throw at her.

Just like the rest of you, I'm mostly hoping that Soraya Lane brings this ladies back together soon! I miss their banter, and I know that they definitely need the strength of their group right now. Even those who think their life is going well. I have to say that I also really appreciate that Lane is giving each woman her own suffering to overcome. After all, life isn't really ever just perfect, is it?

The War Bride Club - Discussion Post #1

Happy Monday fellow bookworms!

It's been a very busy weekend, but I hope you all had an amazing one. Whether you spent the weekend with family, or did something fun on your own, I hope it was a blast! I was actually sick on Friday, but the weekend wrapped up spending time with my awesome family, so it was all okay in the end :). My apologies for this post being late, but it's up now so...

Let's talk The War Bride Club.

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DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

* What are your initial thoughts on this book? Is it what you were expecting?

* Is there a specific character that you are identifying with more than the others?

* Share with us your thoughts on the stories these women share with one another.

* What do you think about the view of America that these ladies have?

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Share out in the comments below! Disqus has this great feature where it creates a waterfall effect for replies, to keep discussions easy. You might want to sign up for an account. It will notify you if someone replies to you. Also don't forget that the Top Commenter gets rewarded! I love seeing your discussions!

My Thoughts?

I'm a little behind, as I've only just reached Chapter 5, but so far I'm surprised at how much I'm enjoying this story! It's tough sometimes for me to get behind Historical Romance stories. The women usually are flighty, and marry for reasons that I just can't wrap my head around even though I know they live in a different time period. In this case, I'm actually liking the characters so far. I loved Alice's story, and I think she might be my favorite so far.

I also laughed out loud at the way that these women view the America that they're travelling to. I loved that they were studying up on the way we say things, and wondering out loud whether certain customs would still apply. I don't doubt it's terrifying to be uprooted to a brand new place, much less to a place across the ocean. I'm only hoping that their ideals actually match what they end up with.

I'll catch up soon, and then I'll be back to comment on your comments :).

Happy May Bookworms!

HAPPY MONDAY!

Or, at least as happy as it can be for a Monday :).

Reminder:

Today marks the first day of our new monthly reading session! You should be starting The War Bride Club sometime today. I'll make sure to get the discussion post up on Friday for the first set of chapters. Also don't forget that the Top Commenter competition has restarted for the month. If you look to the right (*points over in the sidebar*) you'll see a little graph that keeps tabs on who is on top! :)

Coming Soon:

Random Monthly Giveaways

Video Chats

Vlogs!