Kendra’s Comments (group member since Jul 08, 2019)

Kendra’s comments from the Safety in numbers, never go into a book alone. #Group Reads group.

In typical library fashion this year, I finally got to check out The Clockmaker's Daughter...three months late! 😂As I recently finished two books faster than I thought I would, I'll go ahead and read + "join" the discussion thread on that one. I'm excited to finally dive in and hear everyone else's thoughts on it! The last Kate Morton one was so good!!

I've got way too many books on my plate this month, and it's approaching the busiest time of year work-wise for me...so we'll see how this goes, haha. That being said I am loving everything I'm reading!! Like Dana I'll probably end up taking two months to finish some. :) I'm also still waiting on my copy of Letters to the Lost--hopefully I'll get it in time to join in on the discussion!

I'm so glad you enjoyed the book Hollie! (view spoiler)[ I too thought it didn't sit right when Sarah was so desperately trying to save Tom (and also Rhoderick, earlier...and feeling bad about Jarvis). My best guess was that she simply didn't want any more death, and wanted the men to go to trial/have more traditional justice dealt to them. But it felt too much like she actually cared about these guys, and was more afraid of Maddie than she was of the clearly evil rapist and murderer holding a gun to her head! If I were in her situation, I'd be so grateful that someone who had nothing to lose and couldn't be hurt anymore (ie a ghost) was about to save me and all other future victims from Tom. I'm also surprised she thought Tom would listen to her in the first place! Besides that though, I did like in that climactic scene how resourceful and brave she was about fighting for her life, especially after being so shaken seeing a maybe-dead Matthew. That at least was definitely in line with her character and growth, and was great to see. (hide spoiler)] I agree that it's a wonderful fall read and I'll be recommending it as well!

I'm just starting chapter 1 after the letters in the beginning. I totally forgot how this story started and how good it is!! (view spoiler)[ It is such a perfect and intriguing introduction to the main character. I love how in only a few short letters, I'm fully drawn into everything and feel like I really know the writer of the letters and am just as curious about his friend's story as he is! (hide spoiler)]

I've only just begun this and Frankenstein, but I'm already enjoying some of the parallels and insights coming from reading them together. For instance, (view spoiler)[ how The Rime of the Ancient Mariner was one of Mary Shelley's favorite poems growing up, written and recited to them by their family friend--and it's referenced within the first pages of Frankenstein! (hide spoiler)]

It's a bit confusing jumping between the two women's timelines, especially as they have the same name, but honestly I think it's mostly because I'm reading three other books right now too, so it's harder to jump right in and immediately remember where I left off.

I really am fascinated by these women's stories and can't wait to learn more!

So glad you're liking it so far, Hollie! It's a nice cozy read for sure...perfect for this time of year. (view spoiler)[ I also really like all the characters and the ways they interact with each other, and that is definitely not always the case with books! You're right too about the mystery slowly unfolding and unraveling: it seems like every time a new character or event is introduced, it adds a new layer and it's pretty great. I can't wait to hear what you think through the rest of the book! (hide spoiler)]

That sounds great, Hollie! If I can get my hands on it I'll definitely join in for that group read.

Please do update us on your Nana Dana! I also just saw this--I was unexpectedly very swamped with work this past week and am finally getting back to normal life today.

I'm so sorry you've been going through this tough time and I'm glad we can be here for a safe space/place for comfort and expressing personal thoughts. It sounds like it's definitely a difficult time of transition for your family--I think some of the hardest trials of all are when you know something is for the best but it doesn't make it easier. My prayers are with you all and please let me know if there's anything else I can do. ❤️️

As far as Maddy Clare, I feel the same way that the ending didn't surprise me but that in no way decreased my enjoyment of the book. I thought it was a great story + characters and was well done--very spooky and I loved the suspense at the end too. Great choice to ring in the fall season!

On page 251 (view spoiler)[ and more than ever convinced of Rhoderick, Jarvis, and Tom Barry being guilty...however I'm stumped by the chimneys not being right. Is it possible they've been renovated/changed since the crime, as it happened 7 years ago? No other place makes sense for her being buried, and there are still no other really good suspects. I dislike Constable Moores, but I don't really think he ties in unless he helped them cover up the crime, which I doubt.

I loved the reveal of Maddy having been buried alive nearby before running to the Clare's. I did not predict that, and the way they got the clue from Sarah's run through the woods + Alastair's comments about her feet afterwards was really cool. It also explained so much that wasn't making sense before. Now just to figure out what's up with her ghost being so unpredictable, and also what happened to make her commit suicide (and I would question it actually being suicide if it weren't for the note). I feel like Rhoderick being the town handyman may tie into it somehow. Did he see Maddy one day while on a job at the Clare's? (hide spoiler)]

I wouldn't be surprised if I finish this very soon...I can't put it down!

Can’t wait to hear your thoughts Hollie!

Dana, I had the exact same thought you did (view spoiler)[ about Maddy maybe not being Maddy at all—or even that there are two different ghosts, or a ghost with multiple personalities?? Weird thought I know. It’s just that we’re getting two very different kinds of hauntings, one vicious and terrifying and demanding things be done “or else”...the other confused, sad, meek, and wanting answers. Must read more to get some answers myself!! (hide spoiler)]

I am on page 226 and have some developing suspicions...

(view spoiler)[ Like you Dana, I definitely feel like Maddy's story is tied up with the town in some way. After what Sarah has heard from Maddy, Sarah's dream, and then her talk with Evangeline where she discovers Tom Barry is hunting friends with Jarvis and Nesbit, I'm thinking the three of them were the ones who attacked (probably raped?) her? Probably in the woods while on a hunting excursion? It seems like it might be too obvious...but there aren't really any other suspects or clues I'm picking up on. I know Alastair is involved with the Barrys too, but I think Maddy would have recognized him as an attacker rather than taking a liking to him if he were one of the three.

I am worried that Evangeline might be involved though, and I really hope not as her feelings for Alastair seem genuine. I would love for both of them to find happiness, potentially with each other, but who knows how this mess is going to play out. I'm also thinking that if Alastair makes it out of what Maddy's doing to him, this experience might result in him toning down his ghost hunting obsession (I know it would for me!) Wouldn't be a bad thing, really.

Overall this book certainly has me hooked! I love the way Maddy's ghost is so different than ones in other ghost stories I've read, and the way her story is slowly coming to light as well as town secrets, developing relationships, etc. (hide spoiler)]

I hope I don't have everything figured out already, but even if I do it's still a great read so far!

I'm at page 93 (beginning of chapter 11), and I definitely have to agree with Dana that I am enjoying it so far! (view spoiler)[ Maddy is terrifying, and even more so after this second encounter. I just know Alistair is going to jump on wanting to answer her "summons" and I'm so worried what her plans are for that encounter.

I'm also really intrigued by the other mystery happening, in regards to who's been watching Sarah and who ransacked her room?? What did they think they would find? It's so strange because she's probably the most outsider of the trio, and least connected to the case of Maddy or anything else going on in the town.

The other part I think I most enjoy so far is how much this small group of Sarah, Alastair, and Matthew have bonded into being a sort of team. I love their brainstorming conversations together, especially Sarah finding her confidence and the guys treating her as an equal too. Can't wait to see where that goes because I can see them really becoming friends as well as long-term professional colleagues (that is, if Maddy doesn't ruin everything!) (hide spoiler)]

I agree about the tea--this is such a cozy read. And it's getting so spooky I'm considering switching it to be lunch time reading instead of bedtime reading! 🙈

Hooray! Just added you back, Hollie. :)

That sounds soooo very tasty Dana...I might just have to "steal" the recipe and try it for myself! ;) And now that I'm thinking about it, if any of us have/find a good recipe that is themed to a book we are reading, or a snack we're really enjoying, it might be fun to share that during the book thread/discussion? Sort of like what Dana was saying, maybe it could make it feel a bit like we're in a book club with physical meetings where everyone brings a different dish. But if that doesn't appeal to anyone, we can stick to strictly book talk! :)

I finished a bit ago but didn't have a chance yet to give my final thoughts...

Wow the second half of this book was such a roller coaster! I spent most of it questioning what was true and who to believe, and loved that I never guessed everything fully right.

(view spoiler)[ There were a lot of nuances to the ending that I felt were interesting as well: Thursday was mentally unwell, but not completely so. There were only a few key areas where she was fully delusional. Both Regina and Seth's mind games (Regina's story and Seth making Hannah pretend she didn't know Thursday, among others) really added to that effect and kept me guessing. She makes a great unreliable narrator and an imperfect protagonist: A lot of the time I was fully rooting for her, but at other times (especially the end) it was clear she was no more innocent than Seth.

Another nuance I liked was that Seth was technically not a polygamist or an abuser, but then again when you think about it he actually kind of was. He just refused to call it polygamy and lied a lot more than was let on at the beginning. I agree with you guys that I think he fully got what he deserved and I really do feel so bad for Hannah--if anyone's a victim with no way out in this story, it's her. (hide spoiler)]

Overall this was a quick and enjoyable read that really sucked me in, and definitely didn't go in the direction I expected either, which I loved!!

Also: I'm SO excited for these upcoming cozy fall reading times too! Bring on the blankets, candles, and hot drinks!! It makes for that perfect reading atmosphere. I've just started Ghost Wood Song which is so far already bringing on that mood, and will get started with The Haunting of Maddy Clare soon...can't wait!

Great idea Dana! You guys can find me there too-

https://www.facebook.com/wardnek/

Or on instagram, which I'm on far more often-

https://www.instagram.com/the_casual_...

As far as future reads I'm definitely down for that plan for October and then House of Echoes + whatever else we decide for November. :)

So exciting Dana!! I'll definitely check out that list and see if any might be available/intriguing to me for October or later. :)

I'm caught up to message 14 on this thread. Wow... so this has definitely been a quick read so far and all of a sudden it is not at all going in the direction I thought it would!! I think I had a prediction where I thought the plot was leading and was 1000% wrong. Dana, seeing your update from page 180 is like you read my mind, haha, those are my exact thoughts at this moment.

While it started off a bit "meh" for me, I'm way more invested now simply because it has really surprised me and is starting to twist around in ways to where I have noooo idea what's actually going on or what to believe. I'm even questioning page to page whether certain characters might actually be real or not!

(view spoiler)[ There have been several plot holes so far, like the one Hollie mentioned about Seth having to divorce Regina but not Hannah, or the inconsistent stories about Regina wanting kids vs. not...now I can see ways where those holes could be filled in but I'm not sure which of my theories may be right! I don't really trust Seth, but I also no longer trust Thursday as a reliable narrator either... in Hollie's words, "I must get to the bottom of this!" (view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

Awesome! Here's what I have planned for October:

Ammie, Come Home by Barbara Michaels
House of Echoes by Barbara Erskine
Little Women and Werewolves by Porter Grand and Louisa May Alcott

Anyone interested in joining me for any of those? The first two are spooky/ghost stories. The third definitely fits the season while probably being a little silly as well. I'm hoping it's not too bloody??

Dana, if you're reading Frankenstein I'd love to join you (I haven't read it since high school)--and I'll then add one more to the list which is

Romantic Outlaws: The Extraordinary Lives of Mary Wollstonecraft and Her Daughter Mary Shelley by Charlotte Gordon

That one has been on my to-read list for awhile, and what better timing to finally do so than while alongside Mary Shelley's book? If anyone joining for Frankenstein is up for a little supplementary non-fiction/biography, I think it could be a really interesting companion. :)

Just to remind/clarify, all these thoughts are for books in October...I'm just planning way extra ahead to make sure I can get all the ones I want with my less-than-ideal library borrowing situation. 😅Let me know if any of these sound up your alley for that month!

Miracle of miracles, Ghost Wood Song and The Haunting of Maddy Clare are both actually available for me to borrow as ebooks right away! I won't have to wait a month or more, hooray!! So I'm down to read both with whoever joins in on those, whether it's both or one of you guys (or anyone else, of course). :)

Sadly, libraries are still not open in my area so I'm dependent on the very unreliable availability (and less satisfying experience) of digital copies. But I'm thinking I'll plan ahead and decide what I'm reading for October soon, just so I can be prepared, haha. I'll let you guys know what I'm thinking for that month to see what you might be interested in as well, if we want to make a group read out of any of them. :)