Zombies! discussion

Welcome to your first monthly group read. Your read moderator will take it from here.

Thank you, Jim. I echo J. Michel's sentiments, on the Jordan's Brains group page, and thank you for all the work you have done with the polls and creating the first Zombies! group read.

I'm excited to be moderating the group read of Mountain Man and look forward to the discussion. I'll admit to not moderating or participating in a group read before, so I am open to suggestions along the way. I've decided to divide the book into three parts with the following schedule:

Chapters 1-11 (37% through the book) to be read by Thursday, August 8th.

Chapters 11-20 (67% through the book) to be read by Thursday, August 15th.

Chapters 21-32 (complete the book) to be read by Thursday, August 22nd.

After August 25th, I will open the discussion for anyone who has previously read Mountain Man, and wants to discuss the book in its entirety.

After some discussion, J. Michel (the moderator of Jordan's Brains) and I have made it so each book is read for half of the month, instead of simultaneously. Mountain Man is going to be read/discussed from August 15th - August 31st. I've divided the book into three parts with the following schedule.

Chapters 1-11 (37% through the book) to be read by Sunday, August 18th.

Chapters 11-20 (67% through the book) to be read by Thursday, August 22nd.

Chapters 21-32 (complete the book) to be read by Sunday, August 25th.

After August 25th, I will open the discussion for anyone who has previously read Mountain Man, and wants to discuss the book in its entirety.

I hope this schedule works for the group. I've divided the chapters specifically this way in order to follow major plot points in the book. I hope this will keep each week's discussion interesting and engaging.

I plan to post at least one question for discussion after each section is completed. I encourage everyone to post any questions or comments you have throughout the week as well.

I look forward to the group interaction as we delve into the world of the Mountain Man.

I was expecting the books to be read in each half of the month, instead of simultaneously.

That's a good idea, Randy.

April - does that work for you? If so, let me know if you would rather do the Mountain Man group read first or second. I'm flexible. I'm looking forward to reading Mountain Man!

I'm being a bad girl pushing a rush buddy read for this weekend. Sorry for that, I didn't realize we'd be hitting so close together. I can push it back but I want to keep it an over one weekend experience. Longer reads are great for fuller discussions but it's difficult for me not to rush a head of them.

This works for me!

I was hoping we would flesh out the plan for the group read in the Group Read Selection topic, but being new to this went with the month long read vs. a two week read and discussion.
I'll PM you so we can sort out the schedule.

I'm looking forward to reading Jordan's Brains!

Tammy K. wrote: "I'm being a bad girl pushing a rush buddy read for this weekend. Sorry for that, I didn't realize we'd be hitting so close together. I can push it back but I want to keep it an over one weekend exp..."

Tammy, What if we worked it out to have the buddy read in between Jordan's Brains and Mountain Man? I actually want to read David's book too.

Man, that's a lot of reading in one month. Juneau some of us have jobs.

Ian wrote: "Man, that's a lot of reading in one month. Juneau some of us have jobs."

exactly my thoughts!

Yeah, I envy folks who do the 2 books a week thing. I wish!

Ian wrote: "Man, that's a lot of reading in one month. Juneau some of us have jobs."

Juneau, I know. I'm not sure how else to get the two group read books in this month and a buddy read.

If you want, I'll read Voyage of the Dead along with you if you're not able to during whenever the buddy read time ends up being.

That sounds awesome. I'll get right on it after Mountain Man. Thanks.

Ian,
We all have our passions. Many of the books I "read" are read out loud to me by my kindle fire, while I am doing other things. Even my Acer tablet will read to me. So... While I do read a lot of books averaging one every two days, it's not like I'm sitting around the house doing nothing. I take my devices everywhere I go; shopping, appointments, on my daily walks. I listen in the car as I drive, garden, and do my house work. it's rare that I watch any TV. I admit to using Netflix and games (Apps).
I force myself to socialize offline, off devices three times a week...ugh! But it's a necessary evil.
Now back to topic, April which weekend is that ?

Tammy, I'm thinking the weekend of the 17th for the buddy read. That gives 16 days to one book and 14 to the other, with 2 weekends each.

I will work around/with that.

After some discussion, J. Michel (the moderator of Jordan's Brains) and I have made it so each book is read for half of the month, instead of simultaneously. Mountain Man is going to be read/discussed from August 15th - August 31st. I've divided the book into three parts with the following schedule.

Chapters 1-11 (37% through the book) to be read by Sunday, August 18th.

Chapters 11-20 (67% through the book) to be read by Thursday, August 22nd.

Chapters 21-32 (complete the book) to be read by Sunday, August 25th.

After August 25th, I will open the discussion for anyone who has previously read Mountain Man, and wants to discuss the book in its entirety.

Did not catch the voting in time, but I read this a while back and loved it. Going to re-read for discussion. Can't wait!

I really enjoyed this one too! Enjoy!

Awesome! I hope more people who have read Mountain Man in the past come to the discussion.

I read Mountain Man last year and posted a review. I liked it a lot. I'll be happy to read through it again. In fact, I was planning to do that before reading the sequel.

PS: Thanks to April, Jim and Tammy for squeezing in the the Buddy Read for Voyage of the Dead. It's actually intended to be a fast paced read, so those who like it should be able to fly through it in a weekend. :)

I haven't been on here in quite a while, and since then have started group reading with people I know. So how super excited am I to learn that there are now group reads here?...psyched!

Sporkmuffins wrote: "I haven't been on here in quite a while, and since then have started group reading with people I know. So how super excited am I to learn that there are now group reads here?...psyched!"

Glad you're back and psyched Sporkmuffins! I really dig your username :)

This is just a reminder that the group read for Mountain Man begins today, August 15!

The first discussion questions will be posted on Sunday, August 18.


http://www.amazon.com/Mountain-Man-eb...

April wrote: "Glad you're back and psyched Sporkmuffins! I really dig your username :) "

Me too, and your pic. It looks like you're ready to kick some serious zombie butt!

Thank you for joining the Mountain Man group read. Everyone is encouraged to participate and ask questions of your own.

1. Gus uses alcohol has his mental armor, escape and friend during the Zombie Apocalypse. If you were in his same situation would you use alcohol in the same manner or do you feel it would lead to a person's eventual demise?

2. Gus breaks his own rules and has a close call with a mob of zombies while looting. When he finds a shotgun blast in the van he starts to wonder if someone was trying to help him and not harm him. Would you have gone back down to town to find/help the shooter?

3. Scott is rescued by Gus, and goes back to the cabin with him. Do you feel Gus is too trusting with information about the cabin? Do you believe he should have his guard up more so, since learning that there is a living killer amongst the dead?

Gus is obviously a little suicidal, and who wouldn't be after living for almost two years in a world infested with zombies and most everyone else dead? Living on the edge like that, for so long, would tend to tear at a person's psyche. So a little Russian roulette with your life, taking risks, drinking to take the edge off the harsher aspects of a shitty reality. Yea, Gus can be excused.

And, yes, possibly, if I were in Gus's shoes, alcohol may also be my new best friend. Although I think I would prefer a nice dry, red wine and omit the ball-scratching.

Great questions, April! I love Mountain Man so far. It was hard for me to stop reading after the first section.

1. I think I would probably drink excessively if I was stuck on a mountain all by myself for two years. I don't blame Gus at all for getting drunk every night. I'm sure I'd do the same in his situation. Except I would drink inside! Passing out on a lawn chair isn't my style. I prefer binge drinking in my recliner.

2. I would probably let curiosity get the better of me, and I'd go back to find out who shot at me. Even if their intentions weren't good, after being alone for two years, I'd want to find somebody (anybody) who might still be alive in the city.

3. Gus just seems so desperate for connection that he didn't have to think twice about bringing Scott back to his cabin. And I think he wanted to help Scott because Gus is just a decent fellow. Sure, he's a little rough around the edges, but you can tell that he's a good guy.

I think Mountain Man is very well written, and Gus is such an interesting character. I can't wait to start reading section two!

1. I kind of do that now. I hope I don't during the z/a, because it will definitely make me sloppy and put me further into harm's way, but it's hard to say how that kind of isolation would affect me. When I drove OTR I realized that being alone with my thoughts for long periods of time was not a good thing. Hopefully my dogs will make it. They help a lot. It's too bad Gus can't find any.

2. Absolutely. That's where the stuff is so I'd need to know that I could go there without getting shot at. The helping part would be a distant second on the concern list.

3. I think he is. I'm pretty sure Scott is okay, but you can't be too sure. He could just be healing up and biding his time until he's healthy enough to take over.

So far, I'm really digging this book. I prefer a main character who is a regular person in an extraordinary set of circumstances. Anyone else feel that way, or do you prefer the superhero?

1. Gus uses alcohol has his mental armor, escape and friend during the Zombie Apocalypse. If you were in his same situation would you use alcohol in the same manner or do you feel it would lead to a person's eventual demise?

Well, it's all about "escaping" isn't it. All that time alone, except for the Zombies, and hearing possible survivors being eaten and torn apart around him would eventually drive anyone to drink. Isolated and stressed for that long... I could see me drinking. Is is destructive and could it lead to a person's demise? Absolutely. It would take a tremendous amount of mental and spiritual strength to keep on keeping on every day.

1) No doubt about it. However, I could never drink that much. I usually get too tired by my 2nd or 3rd drink.

2) Absolutely. Especially if I haven't seen another living sole for 2 years.

3) Yes, Gus was too trusting but he was really desperate and lonely. I can't blame him and probably would have done the same.

Ian, I agree with you, I also prefer ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances. It's the everyman's ability to overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles that really makes for a great story. It's probably one of the reasons I liked the character of "Ash" in Evil Dead so much - he was a sales clerk at a shopping store. I dig the fact that Gus was a painter before the zombie outbreak.

April >>> 1. Gus uses alcohol...

I've never cared for alcohol. Haven't had it since college (other than a splash for cooking purposes), which was 33 years ago. With my temper, it's a good thing I don't like alcohol. I'd probably have been shot by the police by now.

April >>> 2. Gus breaks his own rules...

I think I would have gone back to find the shooter, assuming the intentions were good.


April >>> 3. Scott is rescued by Gus

Gus is so overjoyed at finding another living person (who wouldn't be?), I don't think he cares at this point. Plus, given how beat up Scott is, he isn't going to be an issue for some time. Gus should be able to handle him easily until he would heal up. Maybe he is a little too trusting, but OMG, who is going to expect to run into someone like Tenner, after an apocalypse? SOMEONE needs to be put down, and it ain't Scott.

Natanella >>> ...and omit the ball-scratching.

No. I think that's an absolute necessity to maintaining sanity. Too bad for you. :)

Ian >>> I prefer a main character who is a regular person in an extraordinary set of circumstances. Anyone else feel that way, or do you prefer the superhero?

From my perspective (and Scott's), Gus is the closest thing to a superhero we'll probably see. To be as sane as he is after 2 years of living alone? He may be an alcoholic, but a very functional one.

You remember the Twilight Zone episode with Earl Holliman, as the last man on Earth? How quickly he fell apart?

===========================

The thing that intrigues me is the dead zombies disappearing. Is someone cleaning them up? I can't agree with Gus's supposition that they might not be dead. Some were squished beyond the ability to be able to move off on their own. But I can't imagine who would be cleaning them up. Are they being fed upon by other zombies? Is there some OCD zombie group that likes clean streets? And who cleaned out the store that he came back to finish his scavenging job on? Why hadn't they cleaned it out before?

1. I would not use hard alcohol. Drinking myself into oblivion does not seem fun. I would brew my own beer and cider because it would give me something to do.

2. If I go back it would be at a distance. I would scout out the area to see if I could learn anything. If the shooter wanted to be found they would probably give some sort of signal.

3. I understand the need for humans to make connections, so I see why Gus brought Scott back. Gus should have blindfolded him on the way home. He should have also made sure he had no access to weapons. Scott doesn't need to know about the vast supplies, how the supplies are collected or how the house functions until he has earned that trust.

I totally understand why a woman would not want to scratch balls ;)
If they itch you have to scratch though, its in our DNA.

Disappearing dead zombies is very curious. Gus needs a telescope or some sort of sight enhancement to watch the town closer.

Carl wrote: "Gus needs a telescope or some sort of sight enhancement to watch the town closer."

I was thinking the same thing.

Then he could put out some dead zombies and watch them from a distance.

The whole thing with Tenner really threw me for a loop.

2. Gus breaks his own rules and has a close call with a mob of zombies while looting. When he finds a shotgun blast in the van he starts to wonder if someone was trying to help him and not harm him. Would you have gone back down to town to find/help the shooter?

I think at first I would not make any plans to return to that area. To my mind other humans, also desperate, would be more dangerous than zombies. BUT over time curiosity would get the better of me and I would go sniff around, from a distance though. Not obeying your own rules is a sign of over familiarity and complacency. Add strained emotions to the mix and you are your own worst enemy.

Tenner added a lot of suspense to the story. I was waiting for him to be around every corner just like the zombies. He was a great touch. Never would have expected a serial killer in a zom apoc.

Thank you everyone for your participation. I enjoyed the different perspectives on drinking and the Scott/Gus relationship. I also hadn't realized that scratching was part of the male DNA, thanks Carl :)

Everyone is welcome to participate and ask questions of their own.

1. Randy brought up the disappearing zombies in the first section Q&A-
Gus reveals to Scott his concern that "dead" zombies are leaving without a trace and he is fairly ominous when he tells Scott "All will be revealed in the days ahead, I figure". They both seem perplexed and have no answers. Do you think it's an animal, supernatural, or something else?

2. Tenner torments and kills, by way of zombie, another helpless survivor. The world after the Zombie Apocalypse is proving to be the perfect place for a serial killer. Do you think a serial killer would continue with a solo killing spree and/or become someone like The Governor from The Walking Dead?

3. While Scott and Gus are out looting, Gus is overwhelmed by zombies. In the act of saving himself, he believes he may have ingested zombie blood. Were you surprised that Gus had a complete melt down and Scott had to take the lead? Do you think Gus is mentally slipping?

4. The tides of zombies appear to be growing stronger. To you believe this is a natural progression or is there something more sinister at play?

1. I think "animals" may be a simplistic answer, if only to foreshadow possible dangers ahead. But there were never any sightings of packs of wild dogs or anything like that.

2. Did Tenner show up again? I must have missed that. Given how many people are left, I'm surprised he killed both of Scott's friends right away, and didn't save one for later. He won't get many more opportunities...

3. I think Gus did lose it for a while. Without Scott, he would have been dead. That will now become a possibility again.

4. I didn't get that impression. I'm not sure we have enough evidence to make a conclusion. He ran into a "nest", and we have no clue if he's done that before.

==================================================

In my review, I raised the question -- if you had the perfect hideaway, how willing would you be to bring someone there, if you found a survivor or survivors? It would be easy enough for someone to slit your throat while you're sleeping (or drunk), and then just take over the hideaway. I thought Gus got lucky with Scott.

Or, after Scott's experience with Tenner, Scott got lucky with Gus.

After two years' worth of isolation, Gus had to take a risk with his own personal safety by bringing Scott in. Humans are social animals. Randy, you bring up the last man on earth reference from "The Twilight Zone." This is exactly why we would do something that could ultimately be really stupid and foolhardy to our own physical safety.

I'm loving this book, by the way.

Great questions, April!

1. I have no clue how the zombies are disappearing, but I'm dying to know! I almost feel like it would have to be supernatural, because why would a human go around cleaning up dead zombies?

2. Oh yes, I think serial killers will have a field day during the zombie apocalypse. Or maybe they'll be disappointed because killing won't be as much of a challenge, and therefore less thrilling.

3. I think I'd freak out too if I thought I had swallowed part of a zombie.

4. It's probably just natural that the zombies are multiplying and hanging out in large groups.

I'm loving this book! I can't wait to see what happens next.

I read this book over a year ago and have read many since. It remains one of my favorites. Gus is an unlikely hero, that is hard to forget. I have since read the 2 sequels and really hope Keith decides to continue the stories. I envy those of you who are reading it now because it is so exciting and you still have much more of the journey to go. Hope you love it as much as I did.

I appreciate everyone who has participated in the Mountain Man group read.

In the final section of the book we had the arrival of Roxanne and the subsequent departure of Scott.
1. Do you think it was foolish of Scott to leave the safety of the cabin to go after Tenner? Or, do you think being the third wheel is too much to bear, even during the Zombie Apocalypse?

The group read is now open to discuss the book in its entirety.

Thanks for moderating, April! You've asked some great questions. I do think it was foolish of Scott to leave, but it was something he felt that he needed to do, so I don't blame him. It seemed like a good time to leave because it would have been really awkward to stick around after Roxanne came onto him. I don’t think that was his only reason for leaving, but it seemed to give him that extra push that he needed to move along. I think maybe Scott was feeling guilty that he was safely situated on a mountain when innocent people were being slaughtered by Tenner.

I can't wait to see what happens next! I'm definitely going to read the next Mountain Man book.

I don't think it was foolish for Scott to have left after the arrival of Roxanne. Scott had already stated his intent of vengeance on Tenner. However, Scott's departure after Roxanne's one night in the house was foolish and premature, as we soon learned. Both men were too trusting, and obviously Scott didn't learn too much from the Tenner experience. Women can be just as vicious as men.

I really felt for Gus, particularly after he lost his teeth to the Roxanne attack - not anything easily replaceable in Mountain Man's new world.

Thanks for moderating April, I was thinking about your questions myself :)

A little background:

MM and MM2 were always intended to be a single book, but, at the time, I was living off my dwindling savings while writing the story, and Christmas was coming along. So, wanting to take advantage of the season, I released the first half of the book in hopes that it would sell... and keep me alive long enough for my other books to start selling.

It sorta kinda worked :)

MM sold enough for MM2 to be released, which again kept me going long enough for MM3 to be released.


I certainly had fun writing them (but, at the end of the series, I needed a break from zombies).

Once I get a few other books out of the way, I intend to do a MM4. I don't think it'll be anything new to the zombie genre, not in my mind anyway, but I have it planned. And there seems to be a demand so (shrugs).

Anyway, thanks for reading, and hope you enjoyed the story. :)


Keith

Hi Keith! Thanks for dropping by and giving some background to the Mountain Man series.
I am admittedly, fairly new to the zombie genre, but found MM extremely enjoyable. I appreciate that Gus and Scott are just regular guys who have continued to be just regular guys after the Zombie Apocalypse.
I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the MM series and the other books you have written. I'm glad you have intentions for MM4, even if it doesn't "add anything new" to the zombie genre. Without reading MM2 or MM3 yet, I can only imagine this means there was something lingering in your mind that needed to be settled. And in return your audience has more MM. Sounds like a win to me :)

Thanks again for dropping by, it's much appreciated,
April

Given the circumstances, I think both Gus and Scott are far above being just regular guys.

I'm reminded of the joke:

Q. How are Christians (or whatever group you want) and tea bags the same?

A. You don't know how good either is until they've been through some hot water.

Both Gus and Scott have had their convictions tested, by being through some very hot water.

I agree that that they had their convictions tested, but in the end they were still just regular guys.
I mean regular in the sense of being ordinary. Neither man gained some extraordinary ability by being in hot water. Gus wasn't all of sudden Charles Bronson in the Death Wish series, and Scott, to me, didn't seem to present special abilities either. Scott is still dreaming of being a baker and Gus gets his teeth knocked out.

I'm new to the genre, but in the others books I've read it just seems like the main characters tend not to be ordinary. They are amazing at whatever they do, unbeknownst to them have magical abilities or just find themselves out of tough situations in improbable ways. Not that those are bad books or plot lines, just they aren't ordinary in real life (as I see it).
It does occur to me that perhaps if I read more of the genre I would have a different perspective.

I'm surprised Gus' "last stand" doesn't fit your example of Charles Bronson in Death Wish. I found that sequence of events highly improbable, especially the outcome, but thoroughly enjoyed it nonetheless.

However, I think both Gus and Scott show "amazing abilities" in the area of psychological makeup. Instead of succumbing to fear and paranoia with everything they've been through, they've been able to keep their moral compass. That's what I find extraordinary about both of them.

For example, Scott isn't going after Tenner out of revenge, but out of concern that others may be victimized by him.