Good Omens - Reading Breakdown

Hi lovely readers! Here's the reading breakdown for Good Omens by Terry Pratchett & Neil Gaiman! I hope you're ready to get started!

December 30th - January 4th:
  - In The Beginning - Tuesday

January 5th - January 11th:
  - Wednesday - Friday

January 12th - January 18th:
  - Saturday - pg. 290 ("A Lorry Had Shed")*

January 19th - January 25th:
  - Through to end!

* Not all books will be numbered the same, due to different printers. Look at for the section header that reads "A Lorry Had Shed" to know where to stop reading!

Remember, you're more than welcome to read ahead! It's also totally fine if you're behind, because discussion posts that go up on Friday will stay up and open for comments until the end of the read.

Happy reading friends!

A New Beginning!

Hi lovely readers! Did you miss me?

***

I've been missing interacting with more of my reader friends. Book blogging is a lot of fun, but sometimes it feels like I'm screaming into the void. It's hard to get meaningful interaction in a place where there are tons and tons of people vying for it.

Also, I've been deeply missing having conversations about books I've fallen in love with. I want someone to gush with, someone to yell with, and maybe even someone to binge read the next books in the series with.

So, it's time for a new beginning.

***

Starting on December 31st, I'll be hosting a read-along of one of my favorite books that is soon to become a television show, Good Omens.

Click to see it on Amazon!

According to The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch (the world's only completely accurate book of prophecies, written in 1655, before she exploded), the world will end on a Saturday. Next Saturday, in fact. Just before dinner.

So the armies of Good and Evil are amassing, Atlantis is rising, frogs are falling, tempers are flaring. Everything appears to be going according to Divine Plan. Except a somewhat fussy angel and a fast-living demon—both of whom have lived amongst Earth's mortals since The Beginning and have grown rather fond of the lifestyle—are not actually looking forward to the coming Rapture.

And someone seems to have misplaced the Antichrist . . .

Be warned, this book is all kinds of silly. Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman are a force to be reckoned with as they poke fun at religion, free will, and divine destiny. If that sounds like your type or read, huzzah!

***

I'm going to pre-read this, and pick some chapter breakdowns as well as start some discussion questions brewing, so give me a week or so to get everything settled. In the meantime, please feel free to grab your copy of the book and get ready!

I can't wait!

Discussion Post #2 - Fun Home: A Family Tragiocomic by Alison Bechdel

Sorry this is a little late, all. I forgot how much of a punch in the gut this graphic novel is, and so I ended up having to take a break part way through to read something a little lighter. I realize that this is much different than the book we started with, and I wanted it that way. To show you all that graphic novels can touch on all topics, and can even be memoirs. Alison Bechdel's memoir is one of the best I've read, because her illustrations are essentially her heart bled onto the page. It's tough not to feel that. 

Here's hoping for a good discussion!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Discussion Points:

* Alison Bechdel chose to tell her story as a graphic novel, rather than just a novel. What did you think about this choice?

* She also describes her style as one of "cool asthetic distance" at one point. Do you think this is true?

* Bechdel's relationship with her father was tenuous, but they used books as a way of communicating. Did this resonate with you? Why do you think it was easier for them than speaking frankly?

*  Bechdel claims that there was something entirely fictional about the life her family led. What does she mean by that?

* How do you think that Bechdel's own introspective look at her sexuality mirrored her fathers? Do you think it might have brought them closer together if he was honest with her?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Feel free to add to this, and chat about anything that you're interested in!

Discussion Post #1 - American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang

We started a little on the light side, with American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang. This is a set of stories, parables if you will, all about fitting in with people who might not understand you. I'm so intrigued to see what all of you thought, and what you want to talk about! In the meantime, here are some jumping off points.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Discussion Points:

* In the first story, we're introduced to the Monkey King. Why do you think Yang starts out with this particular story? What did you think of the Monkey King and his attitude?

* In the second story, we're introduced to Jin. What did you think of his character? Do you think that he treated Wei-Chen fairly? What did you think of Yang's decision to have Jin become a blonde haired boy?

* In the third story, we meet Chin Kee. This story is riddled with stereotypes that are related to Asian cultures. Which did you catch easily? Were there any that particuarly bothered you?

* Do you think these three stories tied together? How did you feel about this story as a whole?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Feel free to add to this, and chat about anything that you're interested in!

Meanwhile... May is:

Yes my bookish friends, it's time to experience the world of graphic novels! We've read many a book together, but here's something new. Are you ready to dive into a new world of book enjoyment?

May 1st - May 7th

American Born Chinese
Gene Luen Yang

A tour-de-force by rising indy comics star Gene Yang, American Born Chinese tells the story of three apparently unrelated characters: Jin Wang, who moves to a new neighborhood with his family only to discover that he's the only Chinese-American student at his new school; the powerful Monkey King, subject of one of the oldest and greatest Chinese fables; and Chin-Kee, a personification of the ultimate negative Chinese stereotype, who is ruining his cousin Danny's life with his yearly visits. Their lives and stories come together with an unexpected twist in this action-packed modern fable. American Born Chinese is an amazing ride, all the way up to the astonishing climax.

American Born Chinese is a 2006 National Book Award Finalist for Young People's Literature, the winner of the 2007 Eisner Award for Best Graphic Album: New, an Eisner Award nominee for Best Coloring and a 2007 Bank Street - Best Children's Book of the Year.

Buy it:

Amazon | B&N | Book Depository | Abe Books

May 8th - May 14th

Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic
Alison Bechdel

In this groundbreaking, bestselling graphic memoir, Alison Bechdel charts her fraught relationship with her late father. In her hands, personal history becomes a work of amazing subtlety and power, written with controlled force and enlivened with humor, rich literary allusion, and heartbreaking detail.

Distant and exacting, Bruce Bechdel was an English teacher and director of the town funeral home, which Alison and her family referred to as the "Fun Home." It was not until college that Alison, who had recently come out as a lesbian, discovered that her father was also gay. A few weeks after this revelation, he was dead, leaving a legacy of mystery for his daughter to resolve.

Buy it on:

Amazon | B&N | Book Depository | Abe Books

May 15th - May 28th

Watchmen
Alan Moore & Dave Gibbons

This Hugo Award-winning graphic novel chronicles the fall from grace of a group of super-heroes plagued by all-too-human failings. Along the way, the concept of the super-hero is dissected as the heroes are stalked by an unknown assassin.

One of the most influential graphic novels of all time and a perennial bestseller, WATCHMEN has been studied on college campuses across the nation and is considered a gateway title, leading readers to other graphic novels such as V FOR VENDETTA, BATMAN: THE DARK KNIGHT RETURNS and THE SANDMAN series.

Buy it on:

Amazon | B&N | Book Depository | Abe Books

Discussion Post #3 - Storm Front by Jim Butcher

Discussion Post #3, the final post, wants to know what you think!

As a reminder, this is to discuss chapters 19 to the ending. If you're just catching up, feel free to scroll to the post right before this and chat about the last chapters as well! All discussion posts are open all month, and we love a good banter.

==================================================================

1. This time around, I thought we'd talk all things Harry. Now that you know the whole package, what do you think about him? Do you believe he's a "good" wizard? What do you think people see when they soul gaze?

2. What do you think of the "Dresden universe"? Are you a fan of Dark Urban Fantasy?

3. Lastly, and most importantly, what did you think of the ending? Will  you be reading more of this series?

==================================================================

Now get to it, and write up your thoughts!

Discussion Post #2 - Storm Front by Jim Butcher

Discussion Post #2 awaits your comments!

As a reminder, this is to discuss chapters 10-18. If you're just catching up, feel free to scroll to the post right before this and chat about the last chapters as well! All discussion posts are open all month, and we love a good banter.

==================================================================

1. Now that we've had a deeper look into Harry's personality, what do you think about his character? 

2. Do you think that Harry's chivarly is a boon, or a handicap, in terms of the choices that he makes?

3. What do you think of Murphy's portrayal? Do you think that her character is within her rights to act the way she does?

4. It's prediction time! What do you think the ending will be?

==================================================================

Now get to it, and write up your thoughts!