Undead & UnRead Book Club - Frisco Public Library discussion

It took me a surprising amount of time to finish this book. And that is quite surprising considering how much I enjoyed it. Ordered the other two books in the series today.
I thought this was very well written and the world is very rich. I have to say the best character so far is Ki. I thought he added perfectly to the tapestry the author had woven. Just like in the story, he brought great color and humor.

I haven't finished yet, but I have to say I'm enjoying this book immensely. The writing pulled me in right from the start and so far it's a compelling story.

Once I started it...couldn't put down and read all night long. Really good. definitely going to read the next one .

I ended up getting all 3 books and reading them over the weekend. Lots of sleepless nights but worth it for the book series. Really enjoyed it.

Hope everyone enjoyed their holiday! I'm about half way through and I'm loving it. I really like the merging of Gothic and Fantasy elements in this book. I've never read a book quite like it.

I'm glad to hear that the entire series is good. I've already bought the second one and plan on reading it once I've finished.

I didn't realize this was the beginning of a trilogy and I'm happy to find that out. I'm near the end now and am very caught up in what will happen to Tobin.

Pamela, how the heck do you read so fast??? That goes for Jim, too. Is there a special class you can take to learn that? Evelyn Woodhead's speedreading or something? LOL

How I would love to be able to devour books like that!

Also, I would like to say that this book has renewed my faith in the fantasy genre. I would consider this to be more of a "traditional" fantasy, which is what I enjoy most, but have had such a hard time finding a good one lately.

Anne--a lot of late nights. The last book I started in the morning and ended around 3am the same day. Took me a week to get back on track sleeping. Lol.

Now that's what I call a book addict!

This is Denise, by the way. I redid my profile with my whole name on it to match my blog in an attempt to follow some retarded "author platform" advice. It's like "yeah, great, now the few people who DO know me don't recognize me!"

I'm about to say to heck with all that nonsense. I knew Lynn Flewelling was going to be good when I googled her and she didn't even have a website.

She has another series, called Nightrunner, that takes place in the same world. I'm interested in checking it out after I finish this trilogy.

I got my books thru kindle and there's another series that tells about the bowl and the story behind it. They're called Luck in the Shadows and Stalking Darkness.

Ahh!!! Stop! Her other books are all in the same world??!! I purposely didn't read about them so I wouldn't find that out. I still have to read The Orphan Master's Son this really good well written Pulitzer Prizr winning book that I cannot stand and you tell me this?

I guess I'll fake it again. Should be easier this time. I've actually read half the book this time. Last time I didn't read any. So two more trilogys to read huh?

I had to stop myself with the other books because I am reading Orphan Master and want to get it done before bookclub.lol

Just fake it Pamela.... };) I did it with Mermaids in the Basement. Nobody knew until I confessed at the end.

Bwraaaahahahhaaha

I finally finished the book (stupid life interrupting my reading) and I had to start reading the second immediately. I'm so glad all the books are out as I would hate to wait months, or longer, to read the sequel.

What do you think about the author leaving off with a cliffhanger?

I actually expected that cliffhanger, but Flewelling handled it well. I've got books to read for other book clubs before I can pick up book two, but I'm looking forward to it!

Amy wrote: "I finally finished the book (stupid life interrupting my reading) and I had to start reading the second immediately. I'm so glad all the books are out as I would hate to wait months, or longer, to ..."

I had e few not so nice words for her. I washed my mouth out with soap. Fortunately, I use coconut soap so it wasn't too bad.

Pamela wrote: "Bwraaaahahahhaaha"
Ornery or Evil laugh?

Don't tell me what happens in the second book. I have it on order from Amazon but it hasn't gotten here yet!

Anne Denise wrote: "Don't tell me what happens in the second book. I have it on order from Amazon but it hasn't gotten here yet!"

No worries! I'd never spoil a book for anyone, especially something so good. I just started the 3rd book and if I didn't need sleep I would have already finished it.

Jim wrote: "Amy wrote: "I finally finished the book (stupid life interrupting my reading) and I had to start reading the second immediately. I'm so glad all the books are out as I would hate to wait months, or..."

Lol. I love that I loved the book so much that I had to immediately start the second. I also hate that I loved the book so much that I had to immediately start the second and now the third. I'm sure I'll be reading the rest of the books in this world over the next month or two. *sigh*

I absolutely love that I loved it enough to want more of it. I can't remember when that has happened! I look forward to seeing you all tonight but am worried I'm going to overhear something!!!

Update: Illior must have heard my despair because the UPS man just dropped it off. Now I just have to decide how much of my work I can slack off to sneak a peek :)

I would ruin a book for someone. But I am only halfway through the second.

Jim wrote: "I would ruin a book for someone. But I am only halfway through the second."

Bad Jim! ;)

Anne Denise wrote: "Update: Illior must have heard my despair because the UPS man just dropped it off. Now I just have to decide how much of my work I can slack off to sneak a peek :)"

I actually liked the sequel better than the first! Can't wait to hear what all of you think of books 2 and 3 when you're finished reading.

You better believe it. };)

Jim wrote: "Just fake it Pamela.... };) I did it with Mermaids in the Basement. Nobody knew until I confessed at the end."
I have some information for you.

I got 5 whole pages read yesterday.

Anne Denise wrote: "Update: Illior must have heard my despair because the UPS man just dropped it off. Now I just have to decide how much of my work I can slack off to sneak a peek :)"

Have you posted your blog yet? (Please tell me I'm not confused and that I asked the correct person.)

I haven't posted to my blog yet. In fact, I wanted to get some feedback from any of you who would care to comment. Mainly I'm feeling a little stumped by what to write! I have found that I write actual fiction a lot more easily than writing ABOUT fiction. Mainly I worry that I will spoil the story for someone who hasn't read it yet.

Also, my blog is called "Worlds Worth Visiting" which I liked the concept of, but now I'm realizing is a bit limiting, since most stories I read only involve one world. So, one post every month is probably not going to be enough content for a whole blog.

I'm wondering if I should maybe write more about smaller details in the stories rather than just describing the worlds? Like I could explore the idea of (for example) necromancy, or the concept of the doll, perhaps related to voodoo. Trying to expound on some ideas within the book, rather than just describe the world.

Sorry to hijack this thread, but I don't know how to make another thread and I was wondering what y'all would think about this. What do you enjoy reading on other people's book blogs? If you don't read any, what do you think you might enjoy?

Thanks in advance to all who participate in my audience research :)

Here is a link to my blog for those who are curious about where it stands now:

http://annedenisedupont.blogspot.com/

Comments are welcome! I am just now learning about blogging so I need all the help I can get!

I think there's no reason to limit your blog to world building alone. I think ideas, concepts, and themes explored in a book adds to the world as much as the author's description of the world. For example, it would be difficult to give an accurate portrayal of the world in The Bone Doll's Twin without exploring the magic systems and even some of the themes on gender. I also think characters help the world building as well, especially with regards to the social aspects and norms for the societies occupying the world.

As for your worries about spoiling books for people. In most blogs, reviewers will simply put a spoiler notice at the top of the review. Or you can even add some html code to hide any spoilers. Generally it will read something like "Click here to view spoiler." It's hidden until someone click's on the spoiler message.

Amy, thank you so much for your ideas! This past week I have been pummeled by work, so much so that I'm beginning to worry that I'm not going to even have time to finish the series by next Book Club meeting, much less get a blog post written.

The more I think about it though, I just have a hard time believing that anyone would be interested in reading a blog like this. It's like I'm trying to share what I think is interesting, but I think most people who like to read (including myself) would rather spend their time reading books than blog posts about books. Ya know?

I started this whole idea after reading on Writers Digest some comments from agents such as "I won't even consider a new author who has less than 3000 Twitter followers." I was like WHOA! I can't believe I've spent nearly 3 years of my life writing a book and I was supposed to have been accumulating Twitter followers this whole time?

Well, I'm thinking now that even if this thing about author platform is true, the fact is that I am completely and totally behind the 8-ball on it, so much so that to try to catch up now is a complete waste of time. Now I'm thinking I'd be better off just focusing on making my actual book the best it can be and pray that someone takes pity on me as a social zero. LOL

Contrast Debra Harkness, who had published several academic books before, (not to mention her "award winning wine blog"), with Lynn Flewelling, who, to my knowledge only has an entry page on SFWA and a Yahoo newsgroup of people who beta read for her. That is the publishing industry today in a nutshell.

Debra Harkness = NYT Bestseller, 5-star reviews from PR departments of Oprah to Pope, etc., Laughable storytelling ability

Lynn Flewelling = virtual unknown, not a bestseller, reviews inside book cover from respected authors, amazing storyteller.

Ok, so now that you all know the inner workings of my mind :) Don't you think it's pretty silly of me to go out of my way struggling with this blog? I mean, for real…

Write about what you like in your blog. As a person you don't fit in any one category. Why should your blog?

Good idea, Jim. If I were to write what I like, I would actually be writing something fictional. I like to talk about SFF novels, but I don't really read them fast enough to be able to share my thoughts on a consistent basis, which is what blogging is all about. Really, I prefer to talk about them in person, anyway. Like at our meetings…sharing ideas and reactions in "real time" is so much better than me just expounding on my own ideas.

Now, I'm looking into the idea of doing a blog with a serialized story approach, so I could share installments of something fictional. Seems like an interesting idea and something I would actually look forward to doing.

But for now, I just have to get through the Tamir Trilogy! Loving the second book, BTW! I vow that I will finish this so I can join the discussion next time without fear of spoilers!

I have 20 pages or less in book 2.

I finished book 2 yesterday and book 3 just arrived. I agree with whoever said they were glad we're reading this series after its completed. I'd be counting the days to find out what happens to Tobin, I mean Tamir, or Tobin, or whoever he is now, or she :)

I am about 40 pages into book 3.

Now about 120 pages into book 3. Beginning to doubt I will finish The Eyre Affair by next week....not really seeming to care.... :)

I finished the third book this morning. The last 100 pages or so are amazing! I normally read at night between 10:00 and 11:00ish, but last night I just couldn't stop. I looked up and it was nearly 1:00! That's unheard of for me. I'm no night owl. Then I finished it this morning over coffee. What a story!

EDIT: I just noticed my post of Jan 31 that said book three had just arrived. I read a 550-page book in 8 days? WOWOWOW

I finished the third book this morning around 11am. Now onto The Eyre Affair or Tarzan or this other book that inspirrd Upstairs Downstairs and Downton Abbey...

I was on tinder hooks during the last quarter of the Oracle's Queen. I was so worried for the characters.

I was crying!

Why?

Me too! I was so worried about Ki. And then the ending with Brother and Tamir was lovely.

I was VERY worried about Ki. I felt sure he would die. I guess I'm scarred after reading Game of Thrones!

Really, I was very worried about the fate of all the (good) Companions. I even felt really sad about Korin. It seemed like he was starting to come to the realization that he'd been manipulated, but his pride would not let him turn back. And I felt sad for Tamir, having to be the one to kill him. I was like "come on Tamir, just let brother handle it this one time!" which, I guess she sort of did. Great scene. The whole battle, I thought, was masterful. And I normally hate battle scenes.

Are we discussing this tonight? I remember something to that effect, but wasn't sure if you were planning on tacking it onto the end of the Eyre Affair, or if we were going to have a special session just for Tamir Trilogy? Anyway, I'm having some trouble time-wise tonight and am not sure I am going to be able to make it.

We're unlikely to discuss the Tamir Trilogy tonight. We'll probably just be focusing on The Eyre Affair and save Tamir for next month when everyone can make it.