West With Giraffes Readalong: Half Way Check in!

 Hey everyone! Are you reading West With Giraffes with me? Here's what I'm thinking so far:

In this, the first half of the book, we met our main characters which consist of a boy who has survived the Dust Bowl and has already had terrible terrible luck, the two giraffes which have survived a hurricane on the boat that has brought them from Africa, the guy in charge of them that our boy calls Old Man, a girl with bright red hair who is somehow mixed up in all of this craziness too! 

Bottom line summary so far: the giraffes need to get to the San Diego Zoo. They barely survived the hurricane and the Old Man has put them on a truck to haul them there. Our boy, Woody Nickel, has also just survived the hurricane and has no one and no place to go. He is fascinated with the giraffes and they seem to like him a lot too, so he follows them for awhile until he is discovered and somehow manages to get himself hired to drive the truck. 

Slowly but surely they make their way across the US on the Lee Highway, but not with out incident. Tons of crazy things get in their way obstacles, not so great people but also very nice people who help them out. And Red, the girl, is following them with her camera to write a story for Life Magazine.

I'm dying to know if that article is for real... can we look it up and see her pictures? I think Woody is for real, and the whole bit about the giraffes is real. Who knows if all the crazy things that are happening to them are for real. But I don't want to look up stuff until I've finished for fear of spoilers.

I did look up the Lee Highway to see it's route. I love the idea of travelling on the old roads, off the freeways, to learn history and see the country. This one would be so fun!

Our book goes forward in time to when Woody is old and trying so hard to write down this story before it's too late. It's great to see him looking back on all this and also knowing that he had a rich, long and full life. We get some articles thrown in about the whole adventure too, which I assume are real ones. It's a great way to tell this story.

I love the voice... Woody is a great story teller! I'm loving that part so much!

If you are reading along, let me know what you are thinking so far too! I'm so glad I'm fitting this one in!

West With Giraffes Readalong!

 Does anyone want to read this book with me? I'm hosting a readalong this month of April! Let me know if you are joining in!

Fairy Tale Read-Along Week Three: Chapters 17 to 24

 

How's everyone coming along in this book? Are you still with me???

I'm still really enjoying it and am able to get through the assigned sections pretty quickly and easily. I'm glad that we are one the last week now this coming week so I can just finish it and see what happens!

Here are some thoughts and a couple of random questions! (Beware spoilers for up to this point!)

• Just like I expected this took quite the turn as soon as Charlie got to the city!
• I'm staring to worry about a happy ending. I want a happy ending!
• This city is CREEPY... and when Charlie describes it, I get dizzy too just like he's feeling.
• This whole thing about Charlie actually physically changing is very strange. I did not expect that tidbit!

Some questions for all you that are reading along:

1. What do we think is happening with Charlie and do we think he's going to be able to save the land and the people?

2. What interesting/crazy thing about the city stood out to you? 3. Is anyone else worrying about Radar and what's become of her? I hope we get back to her story soon!

I can't wait to finish this one. It's been a fun read along. Thanks for joining me. I think we'll be doing a LIVE on the channel talking about the whole book this weekend, probably on Friday evening at 5:30 MDT. That seems to be the best for everyone. Check over on the channel for final info on that! (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5o015Klju9s3FGv4MaQwwg)

Fairy Tale by Stephen King Read-Along: Week Two Discussion (Chapters 10 to 16)

 

Well, and so Charlie's adventures begin!

Beware spoilers if you haven't read this far yet! (Halfway through the book up to Chapter 16)

Random thoughts:

• This new place feels at once both cozy and creepy. How is that possible? LOL. Like it does feel pretty storybook-y but also very very weird.
• Wow but the first section we read, and this section have totally different vibes. 
• I'm finding it interesting that I'm able to picture these gray people quite well. How's everyone else doing on that?
• I'm still really quite loving Charlie as a character. He did notice though when he sort of addressed the question I had last time, and let us know he doesn't think he's that "good" of a dude.
• I still feel like this book could totally be a YA fantasy. 
• I'm find this to be very easy reading so far, which is a good thing for keeping up with the read along! LOL!

Some official questions:

1. Any thoughts about all the comparisons to different fairy tales? Are you feeling these connections or is it a stretch? What's your favorite fairy tale connection so far?

2. Do you think this new place is a parallel universe? Or a completely different place altogether?

3. Speaking of this, our reading segment this time ends with Charlie saying that his world is the make-believe one and that this world he's in now is the reality. What does he mean by that?

4. From all the new people that Charlie is meeting, who is your favorite so far?

5. Are you feeling invested and anxious about Charlie's mission? Or do you feel it's still quite "tame" and easy so far? 

6. What thing are you worried about most for Charlie's future? The giant Hana? The night walker things? The sleeping something in the city? The gray disease?

If you are reading along, please answer in comments! Or check out the booktube channel and answer there. (Or the Storygraph page...I've got it going everywhere!)

Fairy Tale by Stephen King Read-Along: Week One Discussion

My thoughts and some questions on our first week's reading for this Fairy Tale read-along. There will be spoilers for the first section which is Chapter 1 to 9. 

My random thoughts:

• This ended up being the perfect ending spot for our week one! It's almost like I planned it, lol! (I literally just divided it into four equal chunks!) I feel a huge shift coming! Should we be nervous?
• I am dying to know what's on that tape recorder and what's in that shed! What do you all think is going on with the shed? 
• Very anxious about our dog... but I'm also really wondering if she has something to do with the mystery.
• So far this has read like a sweet YA book... which is not at all what I expected. I am nervous though that it's all going to change.
• Charlie seems like the sweetest dude, yeah? I didn't picture him so big until it was revealed he is 6'4". Wow.
• Does anyone have any predictions of what's up with Mr. Bowditch? I am terrible at figuring things out. 
• The murder of the jeweler dude seems like it might come to be important.

Some official questions:

1. Do you agree that so far this is very different from what we typically expect from Stephen King? Is that a good thing or a bad thing? 

2. What are your feelings about our main boy, Charlie? Do you think he is as "good" as he seems to be?

3. Assuming you are going into this book cold and have no idea what's going down, what are your predictions about what's in the shed? And what do you think Mr. Bowditch is hiding?

4. What are your feelings about Radar, the dog? Does she have something do with the weirdness? Do you think she's really going to die as Charlie continues to foreshadow?

5. Speaking of that, are you annoyed at Charlie for randomly throwing out spoilers to us the readers? Do you hate or like that as a writing device?

6. Is the promise Charlie made to God a likely reason he was so motivated to help Mr. Bowditch? Or do you think he has other motivations?

7. Do you think Mr. Bowditch is actually FROM a fairy tale? If so, which one?

8. Also, Mr. Bowditch is giving off vibes of a character from another popular and well-loved book, can you guess who I'm thinking of? 

I think that's good for now! If you are reading with us, let me know in comments what you are thinking about this first bit of reading. Can't wait to see what everyone is thinking so far, and I'm excited to keep reading. It has me hooked for sure!

SCHEDULE for the Fairy Tale Read-Along!

Here's the schedule I've come up with for the Fairy Tale Read-along starting in March... which is NEXT WEEK!!

• Week one (through March 8): Chap 1 to 9 
• Week two (through March 15): Chap 10 to 16
• Week three (through March 22): Chap 17 to 24
• Week four (through March 29): Chap 25 to end

This breaks down to be about 150 pages each week. 

There will be discussions posted here, on the Storygraph page and on the channel each week (hopefully) and I'm also planning on a LIVE discussion on my channel on Sunday March 31 to wrap up the whole thing! (I know it's Easter that day, but I'm hoping some can still join in!)

Let me know if you plan to participate!

Fairy Tale by Stephen King: A READALONG ANNOUNCEMENT!

 

So... one of my goals is to get back to doing or participating in... readalongs. That's like a temporary book club of one book! Gather a bunch of people that want to read a specific book, read it, and discuss! 

I wanted to read Fairy Tale by Stephen King, and I think this book would be a TON MORE FUN with people! So, I'm hosting a readalong for this book in March. 

If you are on Storygraph, you can join the readalong over there. I'll (hopefully) create some forums and stuff to see how that works over there. BUT I'll also post stuff here, and on the channel. So you don't need to do the Storygraph thing at all. (Here's the link to find that page over there.)

Though I would love for you to tell me if you're interested, so I can know who to..annoy...about stuff as we get going! LOL! So comment here if you think you might join in. 

Anyway, look for a schedule to come in a bit, as we get closer. In the meantime, if you are interested, you can get the book and plan your schedule to participate in March. JOIN US!!

Anne of Green Gables Read Along Part 3

Our read along of Anne of Green Gables has come to an end! How does that happen so fast! I loved revisiting this oh so familiar book. It's been awesome. Thanks to everyone who's been able to participate with us!

The final discussion is happening over at Jenni Elyse's blog. Here are my answers to her questions:

1. Is this your first time reading Anne of Green Gables or a reread? Either way, what did you think about it?

This is a re-read, I can't remember what number. Four maybe? Anyway, I wondered how it would hold up, but thankfully it did. It was just as endearing as ever. I truly love this book.

2.If this is your first time reading Anne of Green Gables, do you plan to read the rest of the series? If you’ve read Anne of Green Gables before, have you read the rest of the series? What do you think about it?

I think I've only read the first three. I never did manage to do the whole bunch. But I totally loved those first three and I'm tempted to continue right now to experience everything over again.

3. Who is your favorite character and why?

Well, this is hard. Besides Anne? Is Anne a given? Because of course I love Anne... she is what makes the book what it is. And then I do love Gilbert, but since we didn't really get to know him in this book, we won't count him either. Um, Matthew is very very hard not to love because he's so quiet and shy and yet, AND YET, he is the one that makes sure what he wants happens. I love that he is strong that way... quiet strength. And I love that he loved Anne the minute she opened her mouth. And wasn't at all turned off by her talking. He's the best.

4. Who is your least favorite character and why?

But, I don't really have one. I mean I know that Anne didn't like Josie Pye, but I didn't find her to be that awful. The teacher was annoying during the hair incident, but he seemed to come around too. Mrs. Lynde was even a little endearing to me. Diana's mom was quite prickly. So I guess I'l say her! 

5 .What was your favorite scene and why?

I love the scene in the pond/river where the boat started sinking and Gilbert rescues her. It's the best thing ever. Also, the very end of the book where she ends up talking to Gilbert by the gate and realizes that time flies by without her knowing it. I'm bugged we weren't part of that conversation!

6. What did you think about the last third of the book and why?

We did seem to fly through the years pretty fast. But I loved the last bit just as much as the first. I enjoy seeing Anne change and grow up a bit. I love how she is ready to pay back what's been given her, and stay to help Marilla. I love how she realizes that Gilbert is someone to be considered. It's all great!

I really do want to see how things go with Anne and Gilbert in the next book. But there are a ton of other things I need/want to read right now, so we'll see.

Thanks for a fun read along!

Anne of Green Gables RAL Part 2: Chapters 14 to 26

How's the reading going everyone? Are you keeping up with us? Please be sure to visit Kami's Library Thoughts today for the discussion of part 2.. the middle! Later tonight be sure to come hangout on Twitter at 7 pm MDT for more discussion. #GreenGablesRAL


I am continuing to love this re-read. Dying for more Gilbert though (see my answer below.) I find it interesting that the loveliness of this book maintains its loveliness and doesn't seem to seep into the realm of sappiness. Know what I mean? Well, I guess for some it could, but for me, it doesn't. I was worried that it might for me this re-read, but thankfully, I'm not there yet.

Okay, without further ramblings, here are my answers to Kami's questions:

1. Anne has a gift for loving nature in all its forms, she even gives them delightful names. Do you find yourself appreciating nature more as you read this?

I don't know that I appreciate it more since I do appreciate it quite a bit, but the picture she and the author paints of nature is quite a beautiful one. Everything is so perfect! Is it really like that there? 

2. We have finally met Gilbert! What do you think of him? Do you think Anne is justified in hating him so much?

Ah! I LOVE HIM! He is the best. But man, I want more... MORE MORE GILBERT PLEASE! I keep waiting for the next incident to happen and I'm getting worried maybe it's in the second book? I know he is much much more in the second book and now I might need to keep up on the re-read into that book just for him.

I see why she is so mad, but... it hurts more because she likes him. Right? One thing I had forgotten was how fast he apologizes after the "carrots" comment. He really is a nice boy at heart and man, I'm sure he so regrets this first impression he made on her! As a reader, I for one am ready for her to be done with being mad... but... sigh. It's going to take awhile. Poor Gilbert. 

3. Anne's imagination finally got the better of her in the Haunted Wood. Do you think she learned anything from that experience? Do you think she'll tone down the imagination a bit?

This little moment was very funny. I doubt she will tone anything down though. It's just not going to happen! She can't really control her imagination. It's awesome.

4. What do you think of Diana and the other school girls? Do you think Anne chose wisely for her bosom friend?

Diana is a great bosom friend. I feel that Anne can easily control her though, which maybe is why it works out so well? All the rest of the girls seem nice enough. I keep imagining a Nelly Olsen type girl from Little House on the Prairie to emerge, but so far, all seems well!

5. I've always dreamed of visiting Prince Edward Island some day. Do you want to visit there also? What other real life literature places do you want to visit?

Yes. I've always always wanted to. I need to see if it's as beautiful as this book makes it out to be!  It really would be so fun to see all these places in real life. (According to the other book I have on hand, everything is inspired by real life places most/all of which one can go visit, I think.)

Other literature places? I've been lucky enough to see a bunch already!  I got to see the Charles Bridge in Prague just last year, as featured in Daughter of Smoke and Bone. I drove through the moors as talked about in Wuthering Heights. (It was just as spooky as described!) In England we saw lots of literature places (Bath at that Crescent street where Anne runs to find Capt. Wentworth!) but one place we skipped was driving over to Cornwall. Ah... NEXT TIME! That area is featured in tons of books and I need to see it!  In Paris we saw so many places referred to in A Tale of Two Cities and Les Miserables and The Hunchback of Notre Dame. It's a bit surreal actually, to be there and imagine these stories (and the real life events they are based on ) happening!


See you tonight at the chat!!! 

Anne of Green Gables Read Along Part 1 Discussion: Chapters 1 - 13

Well, so far I'm loving my re-re-re-read of this book! Just as fun and sweet and all happy making as ever. If this is your first time with it, what are you thinking so far? (We'll talk more about that our Twitter chat on Monday... 6:00 pm MDT. Dang... Daylight time again. Sigh.)

In the meantime, here are some other questions to be thinking about and if you want to post your thoughts and answers on your blog that would be awesome. I'll add a link at the bottom so we can quickly find your posts!!

Questions:

(all these nabbed from various websites because I was too lazy to think up my own.)

1. In chapter 2, when Matthew is driving Anne back to Green Gables, she asks him: “Isn’t it splendid to think of all the things there are to find out about? It just makes me feel glad to be alive.” Given her tragic childhood, how do you think Anne is able to maintain such a positive attitude?

2. Anne is insistent on renaming places and inanimate things.  Why do you think she does this?

3. Marilla gives several reasons for finally deciding to keep Anne. What reason do you think most changed her mind?

4. If Anne grew up today, would she have been happier with how she looked? What would she have pined for, looks- and fashion-wise? What is our society's equivalent of plumpness, dark hair, and puffed sleeves?

5. How would Anne have turned out if Marilla had let Mrs. Blewett take her? Would that life have crushed Anne's imaginative spirit, or would she have changed in a different way?

My Answers:

1. I just think Anne was born this way. It's her nature and in her soul and it's something we should all embrace. It's my favorite thing about this book. Positive attitude! It's hard but it's awesome. 

2. I think she likes to name things because of her crazy imagination that she can't contain no matter how hard she tries. And boring names are... boring... so she is compelled to make things better and prettier. At least in her mind. 

3. I think it may have been because of Matthew. She wanted to make him happy. But then again, I think deep down, she really wanted to brighten up her own life. Also, despite what she may have thought, she fell in love with Anne from the get go too. 

4. I think Anne would have embraced her red hair much much more today than she did then. I don't think red heads get made fun of or looked at weird near as much as they used to. Do they? Also being skinny is sought after, so I think she for sure would have been happier. But she would have probably still not be satisfied, as none of us really are. So for today's standards... not plumpness for sure! Healthiness and fitness. As for hair, I have no idea. Is there a hair color people like more than others? Colors and streaked/highlighted?  Then for fashion... just whatever is in, right? What's in today? Skinny jeans? Leggings?  LOL, I don't even know. 

5. I think Anne had a spirit that would have been really really hard to crush, despite her circumstances. She'd proved that already with how resilient she been so far in her not so happy life. But it's sad to think about her being in that situation even so. I'm happy we don't have to find out!

Okay everyone! Join us on Twitter tomorrow (Monday March 12) at 6:00 PM MDT. We'll talk more about these questions and other random Anne stuff. We'll be using the #GreenGablesRAL. See you there!

And here's the linky if you would like to write a post with the above questions. Share with us!

Anne of Green Gables RAL Starts TODAY!

Is Anne of Green Gables one of those books you've always wanted to read, but just haven't managed it yet? Or you love it so much you can read it over and over?

Join us for our RAL that starts today!

Here's the plan:

• Chapters 1-13: March 1-11 (Discussion post on March 11 here on my blog.) Twitter chat on Monday March 12 at 6:00 pm MDT
• Chapters 14-26: March 12-22 (Discussion post on March 22 at Kami's) Twitter chat on Thursday March 22 at 7:00 pm MDT
• Chapters 27-38: March 23-31 (Discussion post on March 31 at Jenni's). Twitter chat on Saturday March 31 at 6:30 pm MDT.

Our plan is to have a movie watch along on April 6 at 6:00 pm here at my house. Let us know if you are interested and we'll tell you more details! Or join us on Twitter that night too.

We'll be using the #GreenGablesRAL for the chats and the movie and for discussion whenever you want in between!

If you still want to join up, link up here!

Today I discovered this at my house:

It has some fun stuff in there! Perhaps I'll tweet a few pictures and things as we go. The first thing I read was the background for L.M. Montgomery. Very similar to Anne. :)

Announcing the Anne of Green Gables Read Along!

It's been awhile..a long long while, but we are finally doing another READ ALONG! This one is hosted by Jenni Elyse with Kami and I helping to co-host. And we plan to read ANNE OF GREEN GALBES in March!

I can't remember when I read this one last. Or how many times I've read it. I just remember loving it. It will be interesting to see if it holds up to the memories now that I'm crotchety and old.

Anyway, we'd love for you to join us! Here are the plans:

THE SCHEDULE:

• Chapters 1-13: March 1-11 (Discussion post on March 11 here.)
• Chapters 14-26: March 12-22 (Discussion post on March 22 at Kami's)
• Chapters 27-38: March 23-31 (Discussion post on March 31 at Jenni's)

We also plan to chat on Twitter using #GreenGablesRAL as we read with official chats planned for each section. We let you know as it gets closer when those will be. We also hope to have a movie night and watch the PBS series together. Details to come on that too!

Want to join us? Post about it on your blog and then come link up here!  Spread the news. Let's do this!

(You can find the link up for the read along over at Kami's blog here.)

Little Women RAL Part Three Discussion Questions: Chapters 34 to End

Well, good thing we had a RAL this month so I could at least finish one book! Another fun experience, co-hosting this thing! Thanks to everyone who participated! I had fun re-reading the book and thinking about it a little more deeply than I have in previous readings.

Jenni posted questions for this third part of the book over at her blog here. Here are my thoughts:

What do you think about the girls now? Has your opinion of them changed since the beginning or even the middle of the story?

I mean, I like them all. I've liked seeing Amy change and grow up. Meg bugged me a little with how she handles being a mom and her husband and stuff. Jo... I just wish she wouldn't be so... stubborn or something. But yeah, it's fun to see them all as older people.

At the end of the book, which character do you relate to most? Is it a different character than at the beginning?

I really can't decide who I relate to the most. I guess Meg's life is most like mine, so I'd probably say her. 

Do you think Beth should’ve died when and in the way she did?

I'm glad she stuck around for awhile and didn't die right at first when she got sick. She was able to see the babies and all. But still. Her's is a sad story.

How do you feel about Laurie’s romantic decisions? Did his relationship with Amy seem developed enough to be sincere?

I think it COULD have been, but it was a bit rushed. I don't blame him for looking toward Amy to get consoled though. But he did and I think he was surprised himself that it worked.

How do you feel about Jo’s romantic decisions? Do you think they were consistent with her character?

Ah, Jo. Jo Jo Jo! Why? I have no idea if what she did is consistent with her character. I just don't know. I mean, the professor seems to be good for her, but really, Would Laurie not have been too? 

What do you think about the names the girls and their husbands gave to their children?

Weird. Especially Jo naming one of her's Teddy. What's with that?

If this was your first time reading Little Women, what do you think? Did it meet your expectations? Would you read it again? If this was a reread, do you feel the same as you did when you read it the first time? Or, has your opinion changed?

On this re-re-read I noticed the gender things much more... and all the old fashioned ideas and LMA seeming to try too hard to counter all that. I felt cringy in a few places. But I still love the over all feeling of the story, the feeling of family and home and togetherness.

Do you have a favorite quote or passage from Little Women?

There's lots but I only highlighted a few. Here's one that I especially like:

"People who hire all these things done for them never know what they lose, for the homeliest tasks get beautified if loving hands do them."

Would you change anything about the story if you could? If so, what?

I just would like to see how things would be if Jo and Laurie ended up together. I mean, you know. Let's just try it that way once and see what happens, yes? And maybe while we are at it, let's let Beth live and be the nice aunt that helps everyone. 

Even though the setting for Little Women is quite different from today’s world, do you think we can learn anything from this story? If so, what?

Oh, we can learn tons. So many little nuggets of truth and wisdom. And how family and good friends connections are the thing.

Thanks everyone for participating in our latest effort at a RAL. I'm sure we'll do another one some day! So stay tuned!

Remember we'll be watching the movie tomorrow at 7:00 pm Mountain. Join us on Twitter using #LittleWomenRAL and watch along with us!

Little Women RAL Discussion Part Two: Chapters 18 to 33

We are two thirds through the book and the read along! Wow! I've gotten a bit behind during this section with much happening in my real life, but here's a stab at answering the questions posed by Kami over at Kami's Library Thoughts.

Chapters 18 - 33 Discussion Questions:

1.    What would be your dream cast for the March sisters (Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy), Marmee, Laurie, and whoever else you'd like to cast.

Gah I can never think of these especially when all I see in my head are the actors from the movie we plan to watch! I think I'll pass on this one and just be curious about what everyone else comes up with!

2.    How do you feel about Meg and Mr. Brooke's relationship? 

I think it's sweet and romantic. I like it. I do! And their ups and downs after marriage... totally normal.

3.    How do you feel about Jo's reaction to Meg getting married?

A little over the top and a bit of an overreaction, more like what a mom might be thinking instead of a sister. 

4.    The girls are growing up and changing, do you feel differently towards them now than you did at the beginning?

No, not really. It's fun to see them grow, but they all have the same feeling about them. I think Amy has changed the most for sure and I have trouble turning her from a little girl into teenager/woman.  That has always thrown me off a bit. 

5.    Two important men were introduced in these chapters. What are your impressions of Mr. March and Professor Bhaer?

Mr. March seems to be a nice quite sort of man, and yet with the power to lead his family. I like him. Professor Bhaer seems very nice and sweet and is obviously intriguing to Jo... though sheesh... too old for her! :)

6.    Do you think it was fair that Amy got to go to Europe instead of Jo?

Yes, because it's true that Jo is a  poop about many things and it turns around to bite her few times, like this. And with Amy's desire to draw it seems she'd get more out of the trip anyway. I don't know.. maybe they should have asked to take BOTH girls along!

7.    What are your thoughts on the time period and setting of the book? Do you like it? Why do you think a very important historical event like the Civil War is hardly mentioned in the story?

I like the time period, and it's never really bothered me that they don't talk about the war much because, besides their dad being gone, it isn't affecting their life that much. Thus, we don't hear much about it. It isn't part of this particular story.

8.    Louisa May Alcott supposedly patterned the March sisters after herself and her own sisters. How accurate do you think she portrayed her family? Do you think a lot of the book is an idealized version of her and her sisters?

What we should do is read a LMA biography. That would be interesting to compare. I don't know how accurate it is, but I have a feeling it's pretty close to how it was.

9.    Why do you think Louisa May Alcott later added Part 2 to the book?

Part Two wasn't in the original book? Then probably she added it because all the readers were dying to know what happens next! And how it all turned out!

10.    What is your favorite adaptation of Little Women and why?

I think the one we plan to watch, the 1994 one, is the only one I've seen. I really should watch one of the others sometime so I could actually answer this question!

And now.. let's finish this book!

Little Women Read Along Part One: Chapters 1 to 17 Summary and Questions

We are ten days into our read along and hopefully those of you participating have been able to read up through chapter 17. Here's a little summary of what's happened so far in the lives of our little women:

• We've met the four girls and have quickly learned their characters and personalities. 
• We've met the neighbor boy, Laurie, and his grandfather, and his tutor, Mr. Brooke.
• We've learned that Mr. March is off fighting in the war. Toward the end of our reading, he gets sick and Mrs. March leaves to tend him.
• We've learned that Mrs. March appears to have never ending patience with the four girls and teaches them wonderful life lessons as they experience different things.
• We've gone on a vacation with Meg, hobnobbing with friends that aren't really that great of friends, we've gone to a New Year's Eve party with Meg, Jo and Laurie wherein Jo dances with Laurie in the hallway and Meg sprains her ankle, we've gone on a picnic and croquet adventure with Laurie and his friends from England, we've experienced the imagination of the girls as they make up plays, write newspapers and conduct a private club, we've rejoiced with Beth when she gets a piano from Mr. Laurence, we've moaned with Jo when she discovers Amy has burned her story, and we've laughed with everyone when Jo tried to have a dinner party that was very unsuccessful.
• We are noticing, along with Laurie and Jo, that there seems to be something up with Meg and Mr. Brooke.
• We are also wondering ourselves if there is something up with Laurie and Jo, but if there is, Jo is in extreme denial still.
• The segment ends just when we begin to feel anxiety over Beth, who appears to have contracted scarlet fever from the family they've been looking after. Drat.

I hope you are all enjoying your first visit with this family or your repeat visit, as the case may be. I know I am!  Here are a few questions I've thought up:

1. What's your opinions so far about each of the girls? Do you identify more with one or the other of them? Do you like them, or do they get on your nerves in a way? Which one do you think would be your friend?
2. What do you think of Mrs. March aka. Marmee? What's one of your favorite pieces of advice or lessons she's taught the girls so far?
3. Do you think that the characterization of these girls and this family is realistic? Explain.
4. What's your favorite scene or incident so far? And why?
5. If this is your second (or third etc.) time reading this story, what stands out to you this time?
6. If this is your first time reading this story, is it meeting your expectations? Or is it different than expected? Explain.
7. How do you feel about Jo cutting off her hair? Was this incident surprising to you? Do you think it's symbolic of anything?
8. What's your feeling about the inclusion of poems, letters, stories, plays and etc. into the story? 
9. Any thoughts in particular on the male characters in this story?
10. Are you liking this reading experience? If yes, why? If not, why?

Feel free to add any other random thoughts of course! Here are my answers:

1. I thought I would identify with Meg the most, but I didn't remember how obnoxious and annoying she is... not to say that I'm not those those, but I don't THINK I am! I've always thought of her like Jane in Pride and Prejudice,but no. She is not. And perhaps I'm a little like Jo in some aspects, but in others not at all. I'm nothing like Beth or Amy, I don't think anyway. And yes, I do find them annoying often... they are too sweet, too agreeable, too nice, too accommodating... even with their faults. Even in the day,  I don't think kids were this perfect. 
2. I like Mrs. March, though I also find her to be a little too nice and sweet and unruffled by anything at all. By far, my favorite lesson she's given them was the week of no work. And then when she went away for the day too. How often do we as moms threaten to do just such a thing? 
3. I sort of answered this already. I think the picture this paints of a family is a bit on the rosy side, you know? I mean, I'm sure they were happy and imaginative, but still...
4. Um so many! But you know what I really love, is the whole post office idea and how they find so  many fun things to exchange, even though they are all together. I think it's the first form of social media! :)
5. I'm surprised at how obnoxious Meg is... I'm surprised that Laurie is dark with curly hair, I'm surprised at how accommodating these girls are.
6. I remember not really liking this book when I read it the first, confession.
7. I'd forgotten that part and it bums me out! She is crazy! 
8. I like the letters.. the poems are okay, the stories are a little long and the plays I'm not a big fan of.
9. I love Laurie and his grandpa. I wish we could get to know Mr. Brooke better. 
10. Yes!

That's about all I have to say. And I think it's enough. Now... your turn! Write your thoughts, answer the questions and etc. and link up your post here:

And don't forget... we'll chat today on Twitter at 5 pm Mountain time! #LittleWomenRAL! See you there!

Little Women Read Along Kick Off

Welcome to our Little Women Read Along! Let's start this thing, yes?

Thanks to all of those who have signed up to participate. If you'd still like to join us, there's plenty of time, just let us know by linking up on this post.

Here are the plans for the month:

READING SCHEDULE with DISCUSSION QUESTION POSTS

Questions will be posted on the date listed... feel free to answer the questions on your blog that day or in the days following. A link will be provided so we can all easily find participants.

Read chapters 1-17 by February 1-10 with the discussion post Feb. 10 on Suey's blog
Read chapters 18-33 by February 11-19 with the discussion post Feb. 19 on Kami's blog

Read chapters 34-47 by February 20-29 with the discussion post Feb. 29 on Jenni's blog

TWITTER CHATS

We'll be using Twitter for an ongoing discussion. Many of us like to post quotes and thoughts in real time as we read. Please feel free to do the same. Follow with #LittleWomenRAL and join in the discussion...give comments and feedback as you read! (We've created a Twitter list with all the participants which will also make it easier to follow everyone and see what we're saying. Be sure your'e on the list!)

We will also have scheduled chats in conjunction with each discussion post as follows:

Wednesday, Feb. 10 at 5:00 pm Mountain (Take note! This has been bumped a couple hours earlier from our original post.)
Friday, Feb. 19 at 7:00 pm Mountain
Monday, Feb. 29 at 7:00 pm Mountain

The best way to follow a  Twitter chat is to use a program like Tweetdeck, Twubs, or TweetChat in order to isolate that particular hashtag. Let us know if you have more questions about that! 

MOVIE WATCH ALONG

We love to end our read alongs by watching the movie together! If you are local, join us! If you aren't, you can still watch and join us on Twitter.  We plan to do this on Friday, March 4 starting at 7:00 p.m. Right now, we plan to watch the Winona Ryder/Christian Bale version.

Oh, we also have a Pinterest board dedicated to the read along. Check it out if you are into that sort of thing!

And so... what are you waiting for? Get reading!

Join Us for a Little Women Read Along in February

Is this a book you've thought about reading forever but have just never managed it? NOW IS THE TIME!

Is it one of your favorites and you never pass up a chance to read it again? NOW IS THE TIME!

We had so much fun hosting some read alongs last year that we are doing it again! NOW IS THE TIME to join Jenni, Kami and me and read Little Women with us this February!

Here's the schedule:

Chapters 1-17 from February 1-10: Discussion post Feb. 10 on Suey's blog
(Twitter chat Feb. 10 at 7:00 pm Mountain.)

Chapters 18-33 from February 11-19: Discussion post Feb. 19 on Kami's blog
(Twitter Chat: Feb. 19 at 7:00 pm Mountain.)
Chapters 34-49 from February 20-29: Discussion post on Feb. 29 on Jenni's blog
(Twitter Chat: Feb. 29 at 7:00 pm Mountain.)

Movie watching: March 4 or 5: We'll let you know what day and what time as it gets closer.

We'll be chatting and tweeting throughout the month using the hashtag #LittleWomenRAL. Please, let us know what you think as you read! That's always so fun, the impromptu discussions!

We'd love to have you join us! Let us know if you are interested by linking up here. (It would be awesome if you did a post on your blog to spread the word and link up that post!)

Utah Book Month Read Along: Not in the Script Part Two Discussion Questions and Pictures from Book Club

We wrapped up our first annual Utah Book Month read along yesterday! The questions for the second half of Not in the Script are up over on the main blog. I loved re-reading this book (for both the read along and for book club, which was last night!) Such a fun romance! Here are my very short answers to the questions:


Not in the Script Part Two Discussion Questions

1. Have your opinions of any of the characters changed from the first half?

I'm a little more bugged at Brett then I was in the first half. But still, I think he can overcome his issues given help and time.

2. Would you watch Coyote Hills?

Yes, for sure!

3. Did everything go down like you thought it would?

Yes, pretty much. But even though it was a re-read for me, I'd forgotten the details!

4. If there's a lesson to be learned from this story, what do you think it is?

Everything is not always as it seems.

5. How do you feel about the portrayal of the parents of these characters?

I'm more aware of parents in books these days. And I actually liked these parents! Even Jake's dad seemed to come around. Emma's mom was annoying, but only because she wants the best for Emma. And she didn't throw a fit when Emma wanted to "fire" her. And then how both her parents were involved in the make up at the end? I loved that. 

6. What parts felt realistic and what parts felt unrealistic?

All the shooting the show scenes feel very realistic. The paparazzi stuff feels realistic. Maybe how good these kids are, well Emma and Jake anyway, a little unrealistic. Not that I didn't like that. How easy Jake's mom takes to Emma, probably a little unrealistic.

7. What was your favorite part?

So many favorite parts! The kiss by the truck for sure. Emma and Jake dancing and no one catches them. When Emma ties Jake's shoelaces together. When Jake and his mom tease Emma about Charlie. Umm.... I guess that's good for now.

8. Who was your favorite character?

Jake of course. Because he makes me laugh.

9. Do you have a favorite quote from the book?

"I've heard that nine out of ten girls pass out when they get this close to you."  LOL! I don't know. I didn't mark the book up so now I can't find them!

10. If you were in charge of a sequel, what major plot would you include?

I would explore Brett's hopeful growth and change more. I would like to see how Jake and Emma turn out, if all really is well. I don't really care much about what happens with Rachel and her TV show. 

We had Amy Finnegan join us for book club last night. She told lots of behind the scene stories from Parks and Rec, and Parenthood. And how she interviewed Chris Pratt (for this book basically) and talked for hours to James Franco on the plane and fangirled a bit over Justin Beiber at the pool. We had a great time! 

Pictures:

The whole crowd.

Jenny, Kami, Kathy, Amy, Jenni and me

Enthralled!

Amy brought pictures to show!

If you read along with us, I hope you had fun! I'm guessing we'll be doing more Utah Book Read Alongs in the future so stay tuned!

Utah Book Month 2015 Readalong: Not in the Script Part One Discussion

So I read this book at the beginning of the summer because I couldn't stand it anymore and just had to jump in. But now that we are reading for both our first Utah Book Month readalong AND book club, of course I'm re-reading it. Already! I know, right? After only a few months! But it's such a fun book, and such and easy read, that fitting a re-read in between all the other things I want to read this month is totally no problem. :)

Anyway, if you are reading along  (and I hope you are!) you can find the questions and the discussion link up over at the Utah Books blog.

Here are my answers to the questions:

1. What's your overall impression of this story so far? Are you liking it? If so, what do you like? Are you not liking it? If so, what do you not like?

I love it. Especially the banter. I find the things Jake comes up with to say.. to everyone... is just hilarious. He's so deadpan. It's awesome. I love the secrecy behind their budding relationship. It makes everything all tense and fun. 

2. Do you like the cover? What does it suggest about the book?

The cover is kinda cutesy. It makes me think the book will be fluffy. And for the most part, it is. It's a fun fluff book, but there is a good message to be had too. (Sorry, that's jumping ahead and revealing my already read it status!) This sort of cover probably makes it hard for guys to hold this book, know what I mean? We have a couple of men reading it for book club, including my own husband, and I wonder how they would answer this question!

3. What do you think about the dynamics of Rachel and Emma's relationship? How would you feel if you were Emma? If you were Rachel?

It's a tricky relationship. I think it's genuine. I think Emma really feels bad for Rachel and how nothing has really worked out for her. And she feels bad about liking Jake, which is just a  new thing to add to the list. BUT, she also doesn't want or know how to change things. If I were Emma, I'd feel a little guilty about things, and if I were Rachel I'd feel a little jealous about things. Yeah. Definitely.

4. Let's talk about the slow build up between Jake and Emma. Which part was your favorite?

The last bit we just read as our part one section closed... where they find themselves accidentally in each others arms. Awesome. I love how they are running together. Sweet. I love how they sneaked into the dance place and had a great time with no one recognizing them. I love that they can talk about anything and be totally themselves with each other. Perfect.

5. Brett has a playboy persona with a tidbit of actual humanity hiding underneath. What do you think he's really like? What are his motivations?

I do think that he covers up his vulnerability with all the bravado that everyone sees. And that deep down he does care about people. I think his motivation is just to survive in a tough brutal business. I hope he finds a happy place someday somehow! Anyway, I totally think he's not as bad as he appears.

6. What real celebrities would you cast for these pretend celebrity characters?

I googled and came up with these, except for Jake who was already in my head that way. I think. I totally can't remember now. Anyway, what do you think?

Emma
(as played by some random model named Emily I think)

Jake
(as played by Tom Wellington, already in my head because
Amy mentioned him on Twitter or somewhere I think)

Kimmi
(as played by Ashley Tisdale)

Brett
(as played by some guy I don't know named Chord Overstreet)

7. What do you think about the behind the scene particulars of filming a TV show? Does it sound fun? Hard? Exciting? Boring?

I find the details in this part of the story fascinating. It sounds fun and hard and exciting and sometimes boring. All of it! I especially loved the descriptions of what the sound guy does. I think being a sound guy would be awesome. Editing would also be fun.

8. What do you think about Emma's vow to never date a guy she works with? Do you think real life celebrities have this same policy?

I can see why she would do this given her past experiences, but it's also so unrealistic. I mean, this is where she'll meet people. So she needs to have an exception to the rule, don't you think? Especially when the perfect guy comes along! :) And yes, I bet many IRL celebrities have this policy and I bet they ALL break it!

9. If you were Emma, would you have told Rachel what's going down with Jake WAY before now? Or do you think Emma is justified in keeping things secret?

You know, I think things just start happening so gradually that she doesn't realize until it's too late that she maybe should have said something sooner. And now it makes everything all worse. But still, if she would have said something right away, maybe.... well, I'm getting ahead of the story now!!!

10. What's your evaluation of Jake's character so far?

I just really think he's awesome. I mean. What else is there to say? Beautiful, funny, thoughtful, grateful, smart, etc. He pretty much covers it all. I'm sure he has his flaws, but I can't seem to see them....

Now... on to the rest of the book! See you back here to discuss those chapters on the 20th. Amy will be at book club that night, so if you have any questions you'd like us to ask her... fire away. Also, there's plenty of time to still join us. This is a FAST read people! And just your luck, the book is only $1.99 right now for Kindle on Amazon. Get it! :)

And don't forget, we'll be chatting with Amy on Twitter tonight at 7:30 pm MDT using the hashtag #UtahBooks. You can find her on Twitter at @ajfinnegan ! See you there!