Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ

Please read through the reporting thread carefully to ensure to report correctly to get your badge/s.

After you have read your chosen book(s) for this month's group theme read, please report in the thread below.

Please state what book you read (and link it), how it fits the theme, that you discussed it (and where), and briefly summarize what you thought of the book and/or link to your review if you have written one.

If you lead the discussion, please state this in your post.

Here is an example for how to report your read:

“I read Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone and discussed it in the [Harry Potter/Buddy Read/Other books in theme] thread. I really enjoyed the book. I watched the film first so I already knew the story line but I was surprised how much I enjoyed the book more as there was more detail involved. Plus I listened to the audio which was narrated by Stephen Fry who is a superb narrator. 4 stars.�

If you read more than one book which fits the theme, please report all your reads in the same post rather than in separate posts.

Please note, there are THREE different badges that can be obtained for group reads. Those reading and discussing one of the two chosen group reads will receive a colorful badge similar to those for previous group reads. Those reading and discussing any other book in the theme will receive a stamp. The discussion leader for the two chosen group reads will receive a badge stating they led the discussion. Maximum amount of badges you can receive for the group reads is TWO - one for the chosen group read/discussion leader and one for any other book in the theme.

In order to receive a badge you must:
1. put your Wall of Fame Name at the beginning of your post as follows: WoF Name - Sandra
2. have read the book(s) before or during November 2024.
3. discussed it in the relevant thread. Discussion must be more than "I read the book and I liked it". Discussion requires something more substantial and analytical of what you read, for example, thoughts, opinions, impact it had on you, what was your favorite part, was it what you expected it to be like etc. You may also like to review the book and post a link to the review in that thread.
4. Report that you have read AND discussed the book.

I read and discussed The Berry Pickers. Overall, I was disappointed in this book. I had high expectations for it based on friends' comments and the rating of 4.13 here on Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ.

WoF: Kristie

I also read and discussed The Berry Pickers in the group thread and I was the discussion leader. I was also a bit disappointed in the book due to my high expectations and the reviews / ratings on Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ. I thought it was good, but not great. I wasn't really engaged with it until after the halfway point.

WoF: Silver

I read The Berry Pickers by Amanda Peters and discussed it in the thread set up for the discussion of the book.

On the one hand I did enjoy reading the book. I found it fairly easy to read and there were aspects of it I found interesting to read about. I enjoyed reading about Joe’s journey and finding himself even if I did not agree with all his actions. But at the same time I felt the story was a little simplistic and lacked depth and complexity. I felt parts of the book were rushed through or brushed over and more detail would have been nice.

WoF name - Amanda(Lily)

I read The Berry Pickers and discussed it in the appropriate thread.

I enjoyed the book. It was easy for me to feel sympathy for the main characters and while I may not have agreed with every decision they made in the book, it always made sense that they made those decisions. I wish more time was spent on the ending, which felt rushed.

WoF Katrisa
I read and discussed The Berry Pickers.
My thoughts were similar to Kristie's. I gave the book 3 stars (rounded down from 3.5). I got a bit more engaged as the book went on, but had some issues getting there. Also, there was something weird about the audio of this book and the Joe sections were hard to follow because of the audio, I had to slow and turn up the volume every time that narrator was talking so that was a bit annoying.

WoF Grainne

I read and discussed The Berry Pickers

I read the physical book and got into the book and the characters quite quickly. I remember collecting berries when I was younger. We'd use them to make jam and it grew freely on the bushes in Ireland. I thought the book would be about the connection to nature and there was a bit of that but it wasn't the main theme.
I expected something very different from what it was. There was an absence of joy throughout most of the book and it was heavy to read. It made me wonder about mass migration in the US and also about the mixing of people and races as a nation which is inevitable in America. I formed no opinion about it though because the book wasn't about that theme either. Overall, I'd rate it a 3 or 3.5 because it was engaging in parts.

WoF Nix

I read and led the discussion for Looking for Smoke

While this book is very different from a teen-based who-dun-it, the writing style was not great. The mystery itself was good and it would lead your mind into many different (mis)directions. The epilogue was amazing! I think if you get the writing style, you will enjoy the book. Unfortunately for me, despite being a good mystery, it took me quite a while to complete.

Badges have been posted. Let me know if I missed anyone.