New Member

Hi guys. My name is Olivia. Melissa invited me last month to join the book club. I was waiting until the new book to start in on the discussion. I just got my copy of Need from the library and am excited to start reading. I really liked the Twilight books, so if this one was compared to them, then it should be pretty good. Can't wait to start reading. :)

March Book Selection

I for one am very excited about the new book. I am such a sucker for books with quirky girls, small towns and weird phenomena!

Worst Book Club Member

Yeah so I feel terrible. I quit reading the book for Jan/Feb. I had a really hard time getting into the book. Sarah kept telling me it gets better just keep reading. Well I didn't keep reading. I have a really hard time getting in to book written in this period. So sorry I don't have anything to add to everyone's input. I am really looking forward to next months selection.

Book selection for March

Drum roll please.......... Need by Carrie Jones

Description: Now fans of Stephenie Meyer and Melissa Marr have a new author to devour . . .Zara collects phobias the way other high school girls collect lipsticks. Little wonder, since life’s been pretty rough so far. Her father left, her stepfather just died, and her mother’s pretty much checked out. Now Zara’s living with her grandmother in sleepy, cold Maine so that she stays “safe.” Zara doesn’t think she’s in danger; she thinks her mother can’t deal. Wrong. Turns out that guy she sees everywhere, the one leaving trails of gold glitter, isn’t a figment of her imagination. He’s a pixie—and not the cute, lovable kind with wings. He’s the kind who has dreadful, uncontrollable needs. And he’s trailing Zara.With suspense, romance, and paranormal themes, this exciting breakout novel has all the elements to keep teens rapidly turning the pages.

I'm not afraid to say that this is a "young adult" book. I'm sure that the name Stephenie Meyer was noticed. This book is being compared to Twilight. It is being offered as the next book for the starving fans that now have nothing to read. (how many times can you really read the same books over and over again) I am hoping that more than a few of us have read the Twilight books. It will be very interesting to compare and discuss the two. I am also hoping that this selection will stand out on its' own.

Happy Reading!

Change or not to change

I'm so glad Melissa brought this topic up! This is exactly what I have been wanting to talk about. I was so frustrated with how Newland's opinion of May changes. There were a number of times that I wished I could slap him. I personally do not think that May ever changed, I believe that she was true to her character all along. In the beginning Newland felt that Ellen should act more like May. He respected May for the woman she was. I think that he had his own opinion of who she was, but as he started to view life differently he realized started to see May for who she really was.

I do believe that people change...it's a natural part of life...growth. The tough part is growing together.

Good point, Melissa!

I'm kind of torn about it. My first thought is to feel that she never changed. He only saw what he wanted to see in May at the beginning. Then when he "thought" he found something better, he began to see her other character traits or flaws.

And then...I think about the way people change for better or worse when they've been with someone long enough. I can personally relate to this. Lately, people have been telling me that I seem happier and I'm more myself. For those of you who don't know my situation, I recently got out of a 6 year relationship. I changed for the worse during that time because of the situations I had to deal with. Perhaps, May changed because on some level she knew what was going on.

Dunzo!

I liked it... As Amber M. would say ... I think you will be surprisingly surprised.

Married Ladies??

I was reading about the author and her life was pretty similar to the character of Ellen - she married someone much older then her and then divorced and exerted her independence by writing for a living.

So I am curious do you guys feel that she is shedding light on marriage in general (based on her marriage) through the insight of Newland? In the beginning of the book he was going "to read poetry to May lakeside" and now he thinks her unoriginal and unwilling to change in that she only had the "revolutionary" thoughts she shared because he planted them there. Basically, was she a different person during their engagement or did she just seem different because he wanted her to be?? And, only after discovering Ellen did he feel that way?

I kinda think that is the nature of cheating (whether emotionally or physically) - you basically "think" you found something better... maybe we are all just fools!!!

I have about 50 pages left btw.

Miss you Briana!!

In My Opinion!

Ok people, I'm slowing getting through this book. Wharton writes SO much detail that I find myself bored with it, but then I am very wrapped up in the story line. I know that the "details" is why she won her Pulitzer prize, right, but its just a little too much for me. Another reason I'm having a hard time getting through with it is that I just finished the Twilight series and now I realize you can't even begin to compare the two, but I LOVED the Twilight series. I know its a modern vs. classic too, but I'm still finding it hard to breeze through, which I usually do when I'm so wrapped up.

So I'll keep chugging along.......

Slowly working it

I am definately pleasantly surprised about the book - I thought it would be over my head. I am about 3/4 the way through and I am starting to understand Newland's attraction to the Countess and his mild confusion about what is the right thing for her to do.

I am definately loving this blog and I check it frequently...so keep it up KSB (you know who you are) Your eagerness is more motivation for me to get it done...
:)

I'm Done!

...and so ready to discuss. It certainly left a lot to talk about. This was actually Kate's pick. I agree that it was an interesting start.

Anyone finished?

I'm anxious to discuss! :)

This was a great pick, Briana. Really interesting book!

How's it going?

I've noticed that there are a lot of people we haven't heard from. I would really love to hear some comments from everyone. How do you feel about the book? Have you had any time to read? Do you think Sarah and I are dorks? Well, I guess that one isn't fair. We already know that Sarah is a bit weird. :) Seriously though...love it or hate it...tell us what you think.

I just wanted to see how everyone is doing. Also, to ask for your input on the next book selection. I have a few ideas, but would appreciate any input. Do you have something specific in mind? Maybe just a genre that you would enjoy. Let me know your thoughts. We want to keep everyone involved. I particularly want to make sure that we are all excited about what we are reading. There is so much to choose from.