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This thread is to discuss Landline, by Rainbow Rowell. Be prepared for spoilers.


Synopsis:
Georgie McCool knows her marriage is in trouble. That it’s been in trouble for a long time. She still loves her husband, Neal, and Neal still loves her, deeply � but that almost seems besides the point now.

Maybe that was always besides the point.

Two days before they’re supposed to visit Neal’s family in Omaha for Christmas, Georgie tells Neal that she can’t go. She’s a TV writer, and something’s come up on her show; she has to stay in Los Angeles. She knows that Neal will be upset with her � Neal is always a little upset with Georgie � but she doesn’t expect to him to pack up the kids and go home without her.

When her husband and the kids leave for the airport, Georgie wonders if she’s finally done it. If she’s ruined everything.

That night, Georgie discovers a way to communicate with Neal in the past. It’s not time travel, not exactly, but she feels like she’s been given an opportunity to fix her marriage before it starts . . .

Is that what she’s supposed to do?

Or would Georgie and Neal be better off if their marriage never happened?

Chapter Breakdown

Date Chapters Pages PPDQs
Feb 2 1-5 Page 1-43 Kelly 
Feb 3 6-12 Page 44-101 Carmen
Feb 4 13-16 Page 102-149 Hilary

Feb 5 **BREAK DAY**

Feb 6 17-20 Page 150-203 Karen
Feb 7 21-27 Page 204-250 Zuzana
Feb 8 28-end Page 251-end Shinjini

Discussion Question volunteers:


Hilary
Kelly (Spirit Weavers)
Carmen (Fire Drakes)
Karen (River Sprites)
Shinjini (Misty Mountain Trolls)
Zuzana - 7th

I'm in and willing to try my hand at discussion questions if needed :)

I'm in. This will be my first online book discussion.

I just ordered mine from the library.

I've got it on reserve from the library - due back on the 2nd.... hopefully that person will drop it back sooner :o

Hilary wrote: "I'm in and willing to try my hand at discussion questions if needed :)"

Great!

Nadine wrote: "I'm in. This will be my first online book discussion."

Welcome! With our BOMs will break them down to read about 50 pages a day and we write some discussion questions for each day for people to consider/comment/answer if they chose to. You don't need to if you'd prefer not, you can just leave your own comments too. The key is no pressure, and hopefully you get more out of the book through discussing with others :)

I would like to join this one too. I have placed a hold request at my library but might not get it by the start date (they are all out and due back between the 1st and 2nd week of Feb). So I won't volunteer to write DQs at this stage.

I'm going to try this one too. That makes 3 BoMs in a row for me, wow!

Woohoo! Hat truck Chava :)

Woot! Mine is "in transit" so it should be here soon.

I'm in for this book. I really enjoy this author.

Will be picking it up from the library on Tuesday.

I'm in, picking up the audio version from the library this weekend :)

I'll like to try a set of DQs. I never did them before but I'm willing to try :)

Thanks Carmen!

Book breakdown is in message 2 with volunteers assigned to days. Just let us know if that doesn't work for you.

Also happy to make more volunteers for the last 2 days

I'm in! I'd like to take the last day DQs please. I'm on the Misty Mountain Trolls team.

I'm in. This book's been sitting on my bookshelf long enough.

If you need more volunteers for DQs I'd like to try. I have to warn you though that it would be my first time and I might be terrible at it. ;)

P.S.: Feb 7th is fine with me. I should be back from my workweek in Prague by then.

I'm in. Can't wait :)

lol Great, thanks Zuzana!
I'll add you and Shinjini to the volunteers

I'm in, not read a book of the month since November!

So far I've read the first 10 chapters. Kinda sad. It reminds me of The Life Intended by Kristin Harmel without the tears.

I guess I've still a ways to go.

I'm new to the group, and I'm in :)

I am in! I just started and am only three chapters in, but am liking it so far.

I ended up reading it Sunday, was pretty good.

I've just started too.

Still waiting on my copy from the library. Hopefully I will be able to catch up once I finally get it.

Okay didn't mean to post twice lol

Sorry guys, didn't notice I got given the first day. Questions will be up in an hour or so.

Comments and Questions
February 2
Chapters 1-5
Pages 1-43

1. Is this your first Rainbow Rowell book or have you read others? What made you choose to join this one?

2. What do you imagine when reading this book? For me it was a cross between Modern Family and our previous BOM Yes Please.

3. Do you think it was right of Gerogie to choose her job over Christmas with her family? Would you have?

4. Do you think Seth and Georgie will end up getting their show on TV?

5. Do you think Georgie and Neal will end up saving their marraige?

6. Are you liking the book so far?

Comments and Questions
February 3
Chapters 6-12
Pages 44-101

1. How are you liking the writing style? Do you find that this author seems to have a female character the same kind of issue (not confident in themselves)?

2. Does anyone think that Neal is screening his calls from Georgie?

3. Ok is it me or is Georgie losing her mind or having a mental breakdown? Who is the man that called her "Georgie Girl"? Is it really Neal's dad and is Neal's dad dead or alive?

4. Do you think everyone sees what's going on in her marriage except her?

5. Do you think Neal feels like he is in competition with Seth for Georgie's affection? Or is he jealous of their friendship?

6. Will their time away from each other will fix the marriage or break them apart and why?

7. In your opinion, why do you think Georgie is always reminiscing about the past? Do you think she is trying to get back something she lost?

Comments and Questions
February 2
Chapters 1-5
Pages 1-43

1. Is this your first Rainbow Rowell book or have you read others? What made you choose to join this one?

This is my 3rd book from this author. I have read Fangirl and Eleanor & Park and I enjoyed them too and that's why I decided too join this one.

2. What do you imagine when reading this book? For me it was a cross between Modern Family and our previous BOM Yes Please.

I just see her other books, where the female character seems kind of weak. They have no self confidence in saying or doing something for themselves.

3. Do you think it was right of Georgie to choose her job over Christmas with her family? Would you have?

I don't think is was right. She knew that they were going so if it were me I would do my best to get everything done before I had to leave then have Seth and Scott do the rest of the small things to do so that I can spend time with my family. I believe you should always make your family come first because you never know when it'll be your last.

4. Do you think Seth and Georgie will end up getting their show on TV?

I'm not sure but I hope so since she chose to be there and get it up and running instead of being with her family.

5. Do you think Georgie and Neal will end up saving their marriage?

I think they will because Neal seems to be in love with Georgie even though they are in this pause stage.

6. Are you liking the book so far?

I am but Georgie is making me feel a little off with her ups and downs in her crazy world of emotions. Hahahaha

☼♎ Carmen the Bootyshaker Temptress ☼♎ wrote: "Comments and Questions
February 2
Chapters 1-5
Pages 1-43

1. Is this your first Rainbow Rowell book or have you read others? What made you choose to join this one?

This is my 3rd book from this a..."

Do you notice differences between her YA books and her adult books? I felt they all came off fairly similar in style.

Kelly wrote: "☼♎ Carmen the Bootyshaker Temptress ☼♎ wrote: "Comments and Questions
February 2
Chapters 1-5
Pages 1-43

1. Is this your first Rainbow Rowell book or have you read others? What made you choose to ..."

That's my thoughts too. I don't see any difference.

1. This is my first Rainbow Rowell book so far. I joined this discussion because I haven't done one before and want to see how they work. The actual book didn't matter -- I'll read just about anything.

2. I'm not sure what I imagine. I am just trying to understand what brought these two together.

3. I wouldn't have made the choice Georgie did, but I don't work in her field, or any other field that would require me to make that choice. Since this has been her career for many years, one would hope that by now, her husband would understand how rare these opportunities are. It's not like she's having to miss Christmas on a regular basis, and the girls are little enough that they can make it work with a "second Christmas."

4. I hope so, given the sacrifice she made to make it happen.

5. Yes, though at this point I'm not sure why either of them would want to. Neal's sort of a Grumpy Gus.

6. The first few chapters didn't grab me, and I wanted to take an editor's pen to it. As I've read further, though I've gotten more interested.

Responses to Comments & Questions
February 3, 2015
Chapters 6-12

1. The author uses a lot of dialogue, so the story reads quickly. I don't care for the parenthetical comments much. I'm unfamiliar with this author's work, so I can't comment on the second question.

2. I assume there's some sort of mix-up happening that makes it seem that way, but something else must be going on.

3. I don't know what's going on, but this is where the story gets interesting for me.

4. I don't think anyone is reading this marriage accurately. It seems to me the characters are all making assumptions that may not be true. Sort of like real life!

5. Yes, and this bothers me. Seth and Georgie have worked together for years, and one would think this question would have been settled long ago. It also seems as though Georgie has some unresolved feelings for Seth...again, after all these years, this strikes me as odd.

6. I like to think absence makes the heart grow fonder and that they will be all right in the end. But that's just me and how I would write it.

7. I think Georgie's reminiscing is a plot device to help us readers catch up and understand the feelings she's experiencing in present time. She and Neal seem mismatched, but they've made it this long, and there must be a reason.

I did like her book Attachments quite a bit which is her other adult book. I got into that one a lot faster than this one.

3. I don't really see the need for such an uncompromising solution. Technology as it is portrayed in the book so far is more than enough that she could have conferenced in and worked over the internet?

I gather that Neals reaction is the result of that oversight, maybe? The rest (Neal basically telling her what it is) is to demonstrate their relationship.

February 2
Chapters 1-5
Pages 1-43

1. Is this your first Rainbow Rowell book or have you read others? What made you choose to join this one?

This is my first one. I have Fangirl and Eleanor and Park in my TBR list since forever but never got around to reading them as I tend to not choose YA. I decided to join because I have been wanting to participate in one of these for a while and when I received the heads up, since I had this book in my TBR already I decided to jump in.

2. What do you imagine when reading this book?
I'm not sure. I'm still trying to figure out the author.

3. Do you think it was right of Georgie to choose her job over Christmas with her family? Would you have?
I don't think it was a smart choice but not because of her job but because I feel her marriage was not in a solid state when the story began. If it was, I'm sure Neal would have supported her, as he seems a nice and supportive fellow. But sometimes when the relationship is in a fragile state you have to sacrifice outside things that could put the marriage in risk if you want to protect it. I wouldn't
have made that choice because my priorities are different but I don't know, my life is nothing like hers and maybe I don't get entirely what this job opportunity means to her.



4. Do you think Seth and Georgie will end up getting their show on TV?

I'm not sure. I wonder about what would that mean to her marriage either way.

5. Do you think Georgie and Neal will end up saving their marriage?

Honestly I don't quite see the connection between those two up to this point.

6. Are you liking the book so far?
It isn't mind blowing, but so far it's OK. I'm interested to find out what happens.

(I apologize if there are any mistakes in my post, English is not my first language :) )

February 2
Chapters 1-5
Pages 1-43

1. Is this your first Rainbow Rowell book or have you read others? What made you choose to join this one?

I've read Fangirl and Eleanor & Park, I was curious about her adult novel, so here we are :)

2. What do you imagine when reading this book?

A little quirk, and some great quotes.

3. Do you think it was right of Georgie to choose her job over Christmas with her family? Would you have?

It definately sounds like the chance of a lifetime, but her marriage seems like it was already on shaky ground, so not a good choice.

4. Do you think Seth and Georgie will end up getting their show on TV?

Hopefully, especially if she's sacrificing her family, hopefully she can talk to Neal about it.

5. Do you think Georgie and Neal will end up saving their marriage?

It seems a bit one sided in the support of the marriage, not sure.

Comments and Questions
February 3
Chapters 6-12
Pages 44-101

1. How are you liking the writing style? Do you find that this author seems to have a female character the same kind of issue (not confident in themselves)?

I do like her writing style, I think insecurities is one of her favorite topics to cover.

2. Does anyone think that Neal is screening his calls from Georgie?

Definitely!

3. Ok is it me or is Georgie losing her mind or having a mental breakdown? Who is the man that called her "Georgie Girl"? Is it really Neal's dad and is Neal's dad dead or alive?

Definitely a turn in the story I didn't see coming, can't figure it out.

4. Do you think everyone sees what's going on in her marriage except her?

She seems to be a bit self-centered, so I think she is blind to it.

5. Do you think Neal feels like he is in competition with Seth for Georgie's affection? Or is he jealous of their friendship?

He's the other man, even if it isn't romantic, she probably spends more time with Seth. I think it would take it's toll on Neal.

6. Will their time away from each other will fix the marriage or break them apart and why?

I think it will be an eye opener

7. In your opinion, why do you think Georgie is always reminiscing about the past? Do you think she is trying to get back something she lost?

I think you stated that well, I agree.

Comments and Questions
February 2
Chapters 1-5
Pages 1-43

1. Is this your first Rainbow Rowell book or have you read others? What made you choose to join this one?This is the first adult book of hers I've read. I have also read a couple of her YA books - Eleanor & Park and Fangirl.

2. What do you imagine when reading this book? For me it was a cross between Modern Family and our previous BOM Yes Please.
I don't really have any images.

3. Do you think it was right of Gerogie to choose her job over Christmas with her family? Would you have?
I can see both sides of this one. At that late notice, I thought Neal and the kids should go anyway. My husband goes away often for work and sometimes misses birthdays etc. He is usually only away a couple of weeks, so we move celebrations to before or after. I understand the importance of having a career you love and a stable income, so I'm happy to compromise on things. In this situation, I'm more in Neals position than Georgie.

4. Do you think Seth and Georgie will end up getting their show on TV?
I do, and I have a suspicion that they may end up having an affair.... I hope not though.

5. Do you think Georgie and Neal will end up saving their marraige?
I like to think yes, but I think it will be a bumpy ride. It seems they have been together for years, and have been drifting appart slowly for a while now. I have a suspicion that one or both of them will have an affair.

6. Are you liking the book so far?
Yes. Just starting to get into it. It's an easy read so far.

Chapters 1-5
Pages 1-43

1. Is this your first Rainbow Rowell book or have you read others? What made you choose to join this one?

I have read two other books of Rainbow Rowell. One I loved. The other one I read about 90% of it and haven't decided if I will go back and finish it. I wanted to try another one of her books to see how I liked it.

2. What do you imagine when reading this book? For me it was a cross between Modern Family and our previous BOM Yes Please.

Nothing, really.

3. Do you think it was right of Gerogie to choose her job over Christmas with her family? Would you have?

This is a hard one. Family should come before work, but providing for your family is also part of putting your family first. I haven't decided if I agree with Georgie's decision or not. I do think she should have spent more time discussing it with Neal, but I guess he didn't give her much of a chance.

4. Do you think Seth and Georgie will end up getting their show on TV?

I think they probably will.

5. Do you think Georgie and Neal will end up saving their marriage?

I sure hope they do for their kid's sakes.

6. Are you liking the book so far?

I am liking the book so far. I look forward to reading it.

Tali wrote: "February 2
Chapters 1-5
Pages 1-43

1. Is this your first Rainbow Rowell book or have you read others? What made you choose to join this one?

This is my first one. I have Fangirl and Eleanor and P..."

That's a good point that Georgie maybe should have gone with her family for Christmas since her marriage was in a bad place. I am interested to find out what happened between the two of them.

1. How are you liking the writing style? Do you find that this author seems to have a female character the same kind of issue (not confident in themselves)?

It's certainly easy to read. I'm not really getting a lot out of the style so far.

2. Does anyone think that Neal is screening his calls from Georgie?

Not really. It doesn't feel that way. It feels more like a plot device to make Georgie insane. The straight to voice-mail implies the phone is dead, no signal or blocked numbers. However, when it does ring the two children have it invariably (so far). I'd certainly go insane if my significant other did this.

3. Ok is it me or is Georgie losing her mind or having a mental breakdown? Who is the man that called her "Georgie Girl"? Is it really Neal's dad and is Neal's dad dead or alive?

It's Neal's dad for sure. Is Georgie coping with insanity? Maybe. Or is it some kind of supernatural occurrence? Either way it seems to be good for Georgie.

4. Do you think everyone sees what's going on in her marriage except her?

No. She sees it.

5. Do you think Neal feels like he is in competition with Seth for Georgie's affection? Or is he jealous of their friendship?

It sounds like Neal just hates LA. He also sounds like a miserable human being.

6. Will their time away from each other will fix the marriage or break them apart and why?

Hopefully, break it apart. Georgie needs the wake-up call. Basically, she just needs to chose her family over work. The "dream" doesn't even seem to matter to her. If it does it isn't apparent at all.

All we have is the constant reaffirmations from Seth basically telling her what she thinks.

7. In your opinion, why do you think Georgie is always reminiscing about the past? Do you think she is trying to get back something she lost?

She's having a crisis. Trying to figure out how she got there. I suppose what she lost was her family?

Kay wrote: "Tali wrote: "February 2
Chapters 1-5
Pages 1-43

1. Is this your first Rainbow Rowell book or have you read others? What made you choose to join this one?

This is my first one. I have Fangirl and ...

That's a good point that Georgie maybe should have gone with her family for Christmas since her marriage was in a bad place. I am interested to find out what happened between the two of them.
"

But I'm not sure if hanging out with the inlaws is the best way to fix your marriage either? Communicating and talking to each other is the first step.

Responses to Chapter 1-5 Questions

1. This is my first Rainbow Rowell book. I joined because the premise sounded interesting

3. Given that this is an opportunity for her to achieve something she has been working on for 20 years, I think once in a lifetime opportunity trumps a family trip that they likely do every year or two. I would likely do the same thing. It's more the day to day coming home late leading up to it that I think is really what has made her family suffer. And that, in my opinion, is much less acceptable.

4. I hope they get their show

5. This may be an odd thought, but for some reason I am suspicious that their marriage may not actually be in as much trouble as she thinks it is. I'm wondering if she is unhappy herself and projecting those feelings so she thinks Neal is more unhappy than he really is.

6. It was a bit of a slow start but I'm starting to get into it now.