Happy New Year, readers! 2015 is here, with all it’s promise of fun things to come and hope of dramatic taming of our muffin tops. Godspeed.
While the future is full of unknowns, I can take certain comfort in knowing I love my books. I will continue to love my books, and I am incredibly grateful to Carrie from Normal Level of Crazy and all of you for hanging out with me so we can share them together through our virtual book club.
I’ve read so many wonderful books lately, and Carrie and I are already buzzing about what our picks for this next year will be be. I can’t wait to chat them up with you!
This month we are digging into Leaving Time by Jodi Piccoult and then getting excited for our February book. Please share your thoughts and then make sure to leave a comment below to win a copy of the next book!
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Leaving Time by Jodi Picoult was one of my favorite books I read in the past year. Picoult is an talented author, riveting her audience with carefully crafted stories. She artfully switches between narrators and points in time. While in some novels this works to confuse plot progression, Picoult manages this variation in such a way that adds incredible depth and intrigue to her tales. Her books captivate me.
Leaving Time, however, took this captivation one step further by introducing me to a world in which I would never otherwise have ventured, that of elephant research and preservation. What? I know, before I picked up the book, I might not have thought I would be so drawn in by such a topic either, but trust me–you will be fascinated.
It is the power of books to carry me to unfamiliar territories that is one of my favorite things about reading. While a fictional book, Leaving Time is based on Picoult’s dedicated research, and I left this novel with a strong appreciation of elephants and their behavior. It’s so cool that Picoult noted this too–at the end of the book, she mentioned her hope that readers would walk away with a greater interest in elephant culture. She did a wonderful job achieving this hope.
The spiritual world of mediums and psychics was also integral to the book. Again, while Leaving Time is a fictional novel, I gained a much greater understanding of the practices and beliefs of this culture. If you’ve read this book, what did you think about Picoult’s use of the psychic realm to craft her story line? Did you learn anything?
While I loved the book, I was slightly disappointed with the ending. Not to give it away, but Carrie and I discussed the conclusion at length. She summarized it best when she said “It felt very Sixth Sense“, which it very much did. After such an intensely developed plot, it seemed as though the book resolved very quickly, neatly, and easily. Does anyone else feel this way about the ending?
I am also confused about why Gideon responded as he did on the day of the murder. Virgil explains it to Serenity as Gideon’s only logical choice to avoid blame for the crime, but really, why was he sobbing so hard for his mother-in-law? Why did he not try harder to find Alice? Was this explained well and I missed it?
A final discussion question: how much do you think oversight and error by the police does play a role in resolution of crimes? How often do you think crimes aren’t properly investigated or punished because something was overlooked? Is this common?
Please share your thoughts and your own questions, readers! We want to hear what you have to say and thanks for digging into this book with us.
Also, if anyone wants to join me in stalking pretty elephant-themed jewelry after gaining a new fascination with these creatures, you know I’m game 😉
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Finally, grab a copy of The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion and get ready to chat about it with us the first Friday in February. I loved this sweet book, a funny, warm, quirky read and can’t wait to see the forthcoming movie version.
And we are giving away a copy to one of our readers! As long as you live in the continental U.S. and are 18 years or older, leave a comment on this blog post by 1/9/15 at 5:30am letting us know you’d like free copy of The Rosie Project, and you’ll be entered into the random drawing.
Also, if you’ve already read The Rosie Project, make sure to check out the sequel, The Rosie Effect, released this week. I’m chomping at the bit to get my hands on it!
Read below for The Rosie Project description on Amazon and make sure to let us know if you’d like to win the free copy!
An Amazon Best Book of the Month, October 2013: Full of heart and humor, Simsion’s debut novel about a fussy, socially-challenged man’s search for the perfect wife is smart, breezy, quirky, and fun. Sure, it’s the precise equivalent of a well-crafted romantic comedy. (In fact, the book was clearly written with the big-screen in mind, and the film rights have already been sold). But you’d have to be a pretty cynical reader not to fall for Don Tillman, a handsome genetics professor who has crafted a pathologically micromanaged life for himself but can’t seem to score a second date. After launching his Wife Project, which includes a hilarious questionnaire intended to weed out imperfect candidates–smokers, makeup wearers, vegans (“incredibly annoying”)–Don meets Rosie, a stunning, maddeningly disorganized bartender/student who’s looking for her biological father. The reader knows just where the story is headed: Rosie’s so wrong for Don, she’s perfect. That’s not giving anything away. Half the fun of the book is watching pent-up, Asperger’s-afflicted Don break free, thanks to Rosie, from his precisely controlled, annoyingly sensible, and largely humorless lifestyle. By the final third, you’re cheering for Don to shatter all his rules. And you’re casting the film. —Neal Thompson
First image credit: Image ID:32915135, copyright:Syda_Productions
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Janine Huldie says
I just started to read Big Little Lies, but did have The Rosie Project on my list. So maybe I can read in time and join in 😉
Meredith says
Loved Big Little Lies, Janine! Can’t wait to hear your thoughts!
Kathy Radigan says
This sounds like the perfect book for me to start the New Year with!! I love the idea of learning more about elephants, (I have always been interested in them!) and I love books about psychics and mediums. Thanks for a great review!! And happy New Year! xo
Meredith says
This book would be PERFECT for you then, Kathy! Read it and then let me know what you think.
Erika Haak says
Still waiting on the library hold list for Leaving Time and The Rosie Effect, but did just pick up One Plus One by JoJo Moyes. I would love to win a copy of Rosie to give to my mom!
Meredith says
I have heard that is excellent, Erika! Let me know when you finish it.
Shay from Trashy Blog says
Okay, first off, what an EXCELLENT idea. I would love to be part of this virtual book club, but with a “real-life” book club of my own in town that I help to lead, it might be kind of hard with my other commitments. BUT I will definitely follow this, and hopefully I can synch some of our books up with what you’re reading on the virtual book club. That being said–I wouuld LOVE to win a copy of next month’s book, so enter me into the drawing, please!
I saw Leaving Time at my book guy’s (yes, I have a “book guy”–NERD ALERT) second-hand place, and I almost bought it but convinced myself not to because I have a huge stack of books at home to finish–some of them on a time schedule as they are library books. But now I’m going to have to go back and buy it.
Also, I had decided a few weeks ago to start doing book giveaways on my blog since book reviews and giveaways are some of my favorite features on other blogs. I will be reviewing Liane Moriarty’s Big Little Lies and giving away a copy of her book What Alice Forgot (the book that got me started on my love of Moriarty’s work) this month. Visit my blog next week for the details; I am so excited because I have found a new favorite author in her.
I don’t think I could possibly be more excited about your post and this book club. I may have missed my calling; I should’ve been a book reviewer!
Meredith says
Shay, I kept both your comments (darn moderated comment publishing, I know!) because I thought you said such great things in each. And yes, just hop in when you can with whatever books you’ve read. And let us know what you are reading too so we can get some new ideas. Definitely look into being a book reviewer too–I know some people really make a go at this; sounds like you’d be great at it!
LOVE that you have a book guy–makes you a hero in my book!
Tag me when your book post goes live–I read and loved both these books and would love to chime in!
Thanks, Shay 🙂
Shay from Trashy Blog says
This is SUCH a fun and great idea! I will definitely be checking in to your virtual book club, although I may not have the time to join in since I lead a “real-life” book club in my little town, and with my other commitments, it might be too hard to do both. But I will use your recommendations and then try to synch the books that you read here with what we read in our club. How fun!
I was at my book guy’s (yes, I have a “book guy”–NERD ALERT) secondhand store the other day and almost bought a copy of Leaving Time. I decided against it, as I have several “to-read” books on my shelf at home and some of them are library books that need to be returned. After reading your review, however, I think I’ll have to go back and get that copy!
I had decided a few weeks ago to start a book review/giveaway on my blog since that seems to be a feature that I am most attracted to and interested in on other blogs. I’m starting with a review of Liane Moriarty’s Big Little Lies (SO GOOD) along with a giveaway of her book What Alice Forgot, since that’s the one that made me fall in love with her work. She is probably my new favorite author. Check my blog next week for giveaway details! Speaking of which, I would LOVE a copy of The Rosie Project, so enter me into the drawing, please!
I’m so excited about this post; I think I picked the wrong career. I should have been a book reviewer!
Meredith says
And definitely entering you in for The Rosie Effect!
Meredith says
Did someone say free book? I’d love to get a copy of a fabulous sounding book free!
Meredith says
Yay! Entering your name, Meredith 🙂
Gitisha says
would love to win a copy of the book. It has been on my to-read list and such a perfect book for the book club.
Meredith says
Thanks for entering, Gitisha! It is a great book!
Kelli says
Would love to read this book & join in the virtual book club!
Meredith says
So glad to have you join us, Kelly! I think you’ll love it!
Heather Fleshman says
this sounds like a wonderful book. I hope I win! I’ll have to read it either way
Meredith says
Definitely read and let me know what you think, Heather!