You'll love this one...!! A book club & more discussion

Some of us are participating in a buddy read of Tell the Wolves I'm Home beginning May 15th . Please join the discussion here. Everyone is welcome.

I'm in. Thanks for setting the thread, Kristie.

You're welcome, Sandra. Glad you're in.

Thanks for setting up the thread, Kristie. May 15th is fine with me.

I am hoping to join you with this one. This book has been on my TBR for a very long time.

Cherie wrote: "I am hoping to join you with this one. This book has been on my TBR for a very long time."

Yay, Cherie!

For info, the previous griup read discussion for this book can be found at https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

I just finished the book this weekend, very good story.

Thanks, Sarah. I didn't even think to look for a previous group read.

I am reading it for the association challenge this month! (so a bit early for the buddy read unfortunately)

Kirila wrote: "I am reading it for the association challenge this month! (so a bit early for the buddy read unfortunately)"

You can still join our discussion, Kirila. ;0)

I brought it from the library today. I'm ready to go. :)

I down-to-earth the ebook from my library tonight. I'm ready.

Great, Cherie. I'm really looking forward to reading this book.

Does the 15th still work for everyone?

I have a couple of books on the go, but I think I can manage to start on the 15th. That said, if someone need more time, it's also fine withe me. I'll have the book for a long time.

Hahaha. I just saw what the spell check did to download in my last post. We are starting the Harry Hole buddy read on the 15th too, but it is up to the rest of you. I can jump back and forth.

I have another buddy read on the go at the moment too (which I'm not sure I will finish before the 15th) but I should be able to flit between the two. However, if the rest of you want to push the date back a bit, that's fine too.

We're all so indecisive. Haha I will be ready on the 15th, but I can read my Agatha Christie first if you'd all like more time. It doesn't make a difference to me one way or the other.

I started earlier today. I am up to Chapter 17 (page 72).

I have been impressed with what I have read so far. I really like the writing style and the chapters are quite short so it's pretty quick and easy to get through. I have seen it classed as both an adult and a young adult novel but so far, it feels more like an adult novel to me.

(view spoiler)[June is an interesting character. I particularly like her passion for the medieval period. Medieval history is a favourite of mine so I can relate to her on that front. One thing I am finding a bit odd are her feelings for her uncle, Finn. They clearly had a very close relationship/friendship but it's coming across like she was actually in love with him.

I feel really bad for Toby. It's quite upsetting to see how other people, mainly June's family, view him and treat him. The same goes for Finn and his relationship with June's mother when he was dying. She could barely even look at him. I guess their reactions illustrate the level of fear surrounding the AIDS epidemic of the 1980s.

I don't really like Greta as a character so far, she comes across as a bit of a brat. However, the somewhat fraught relationship she has with June makes for some interesting reading. I am looking forward to seeing what happens between them as the story unfolds. Will their relationship improve or get worse? Also, I think she could be quite a complex character once you get past all the bravado. I'm wondering if Finn's illness and death has affected her a lot more than she wants to let on? Is that why she didn't want to visit him that often, because she couldn't bear to see him like that? (hide spoiler)]

I think this is going to be a really great book to discuss!

Lisa - I think it is an adult novel and the YA label was put on it accidentally because the MC is young.

re your spoilers: (view spoiler)[ I agree with you thoughts on June. She is definitely an interesting character. I like that she is her own person with her own interests and quite the introvert. I love that she has a passion for different things, particularly medieval history / culture. I also think that her relationship with her uncle is a bit peculiar. It seems that he loved her as his favorite niece, but she returned his feelings a little more than would be appropriate. Some of those parts are a bit uncomfortable to read.

I also feel bad for Toby, but as you said there was a lot of fear and misunderstanding around AIDS in the 80s. I'm wondering if Finn didn't actually get the virus from him, since he's still healthy and treatment wasn't that great back then.

I have a feeling there is more to Greta than meets the eye. I have a feeling that she is dealing with some things and she isn't responding well. (hide spoiler)]

I made it to chapter 24 today (view spoiler)[ I wonder what is going on with Greta. I think her teacher may have propositioned her?? Something is not ok with that situation. (hide spoiler)]

I just finished chapter 1.
I will make my comments later, after I get to work and a real keyboard. I better read the summary. I have no idea what this book is about.

I read up to Chapter 36 today.

(view spoiler)[I feel a bit sorry for Greta. She seems to be being forced to perform on Broadway when it's clear that she doesn't really want to. I get the feeling that their mum is full of regrets about her own career choices and is now trying to live through her daughters, hence why she pressurised Greta into grabbing the opportunity when it came along. It sounds like she was a talented artist herself, just like Finn, but didn't persue it for some reason.

Finn's note in the Book of Days, in which he asked June to look after Toby because he has no-one, was really touching. They appear to have loved each other deeply which makes it even more upsetting when people view him as a murderer and accuse him of deliberately giving Finn AIDS. June seems to be warming to him a bit now but I wish she could keep her jealousy towards him in check. She is acting like a spurned lover.

I'm not really sure what to make of the numerous references to wolves so far. They are obviously meant to symbolise something but I'm not sure what. Maybe they are meant to symbolise the AIDS epidemic itself or maybe they are meant to represent the general public reaction to the epidemic? The public are a pack of wolves hunting down AIDS sufferers perhaps? (hide spoiler)]

I just finished chapter 9. I did read the summary. Wierd to be reading another story with a MC called June. So much has been laid down so far. June seems to be a very special person. I thought the stories about her and her sister have been "enlightning". Her walks in the forrest and much of how she feels, remind me a lot about myself at her age. (view spoiler)[I had an Uncle that I had a huge crush on when I was the same age. (hide spoiler)]

Lisa wrote: "I started earlier today. I am up to Chapter 17 (page 72).

I have been impressed with what I have read so far. I really like the writing style and the chapters are quite short so it's pretty quick ..."

I like the short chapters and the feel of the story.
Re - June (view spoiler)[ and her feelings for Finn. I definitely think she had a huge crush on him. (hide spoiler)]

I got nowhere today! No reading time at all. :(

Cherie - (I'd wait a bit to read this, just in case the part I mention hasn't happened yet. I'm at chapter 24, so if you could read it around then, I'd love your thoughts.) I feel like her (view spoiler)[crush is a little more than natural, but I could be wrong. I can see having a crush when you're little, but she's 14 and thinking about her uncle kissing her and wanting to have him all to herself. It just seems a bit over the top to me. Do you think I'm reading too much into it?

I do think that it might be partly because she doesn't have any real friends and he treats her like she's special. But, I still think it's a bit more than what would be considered acceptable. (hide spoiler)]

Kristie, (view spoiler)[with regards to June and her feelings for Finn, I don't think you are reading too much into it. I feel the same way. It probably is little more than a teenage crush but the way the author has written it makes it sound like her feelings have crossed the line into unacceptable territory. (hide spoiler)]

Lisa, that's what I thought and I wonder if it was intentionally written that way. I thought it was and was curious where she was going with it, but now I'm not sure. Do you think she was just trying to (view spoiler)[ make it clear that June had a crush on him or do you think she intended it to seem a little unacceptable?

I get the feeling it was intentional. Maybe to show that she is a bit socially awkward? Or to highlight how close she was to him? I sort of got the feeling that she didn't have many school friends and that is why her feelings grew more towards him. He was a safe person for her - meaning he didn't want to hurt her feelings - and she seems pretty insecure around kids her age or at least very introverted. Though she did go for a walk with that boy, but maybe that was showing growth? (hide spoiler)]

Kristie, (view spoiler)[I think it was intentionally written that way. As you say, June is socially awkward and whilst her feelings for Finn are perfectly acceptable to her, they wouldn't be viewed that way by other people, including us as readers. She sees the world differently to others so she thinks there is nothing wrong with her being in love with Finn yet to everyone else, it's a bit creepy. I certainly hope that it was intentional anyway. It's quite a big part of the story so if it wasn't done on purpose, the author has made a bit of a hash of things. However, it feels like a very accomplished novel to me, I actually cannot believe it's her debut, so I do think it was deliberate. (hide spoiler)]

I fell asleep in my chair before I had a chance to read anything last night.

Me too, Cherie! I've read only ch 1, but I expect to do some advance tonight.

Lisa wrote: "Kristie, [spoilers removed]"

I thought the same thing. Completely agree. :)

Slow day at work - waiting for requests/meetings so I got a little reading done. I am in Chapter 21 (view spoiler)[ June is at the train station watching Toby. I am worried about the party in the woods with Greta. Something not right there. I feel sorry for Greta. I am anxious to find out about Tony and what he is going to tell June. (hide spoiler)]

I just finished Chapter 40.

I am dead tired, but I couldn't stop.

Kristie - I've been thinking about June the whole time. I don't think anything is wrong with her or her feelings for her Uncle. The whole story is so sad. About Danni and and Finn and the girls and every thing that has happened and there is still 44 % of the story left. I don't understand Greta. It feels like we are being left out about what is going on with her and her story.

I read up to Chapter 45 yesterday.

Cherie, I agree, it's a very sad story. What I like the most about it is that it's not just a story about (view spoiler)[AIDS but also a story about a family and familial relationships. A family who seem to have drifted apart and lost sight of each other in this case. I think all of the members of the family are crying out for each other but don't know how to reconnect. The references to wolves have also got me viewing them as a wolf pack, a pack that has lost its way now that it's alpha member, Finn, has died. Finn was a huge part of all their lives and now that he has been taken from them, they are struggling to make sense of it all. (hide spoiler)]

Greta - (view spoiler)[I think she is really struggling with what happened to Finn. I think she loved him deeply but felt second best to June so she pushed them both away and now it's too late for her to make amends with Finn and she doesn't know how to build bridges with her sister. She then treats June badly which pushes them apart even more. It's a vicious circle. On top of that, she is being pushed to work on Broadway which she doesn't want to do. The same goes for Danni, she pushed Finn away after she felt he had neglected her and broken his promise to her and now she can't make up for lost time so she blames Toby for everything as a way of coping. The whole family needs to grieve and support each other and at the moment that is not happening because there is such a blockage there. (hide spoiler)]

I'm in chapter 31. I haven't gotten very far because I've had another migraine the past couple of days. I'm heading to the neurologist today. Hopefully, I'll be able to read more and catch up a bit later. I can't wait to find out what happened between Danni and Finn.

My thoughts so far: (view spoiler)[

Toby - I wonder if Finn asked Toby to meet June or watch out for her when he was dying? Or does Toby just want a relationship with her because she was close to Finn and it's sort of like having a piece of him still? I can't see this going over well when June's family finds out.

Greta - What is up with her? Is the Broadway thing what her teacher wanted to talk to her about after her rehearsal? Why would she get so mad about that? Something is definitely not ok with her.

Danni - It seems that she gave up on her life dreams for some reason. Was it drawing? I'm guessing that because of the sketch book Finn gave her for her birthday that time.

And who drew on the portrait?? I think her mom would be capable, but I don't think she'd do it, especially the little skull. Did Finn add it before he died? Again, that doesn't make sense. Did Greta add the skull herself? I have no idea what's going on with that. (hide spoiler)]

It seems I have a lot more questions than answers right now.

I just finished chapter 12 (view spoiler)[June seems to be such a sensitive girl. And I can't believe how mean Greta can be with her. Is the reason for that only that June was Finn's favorite? It seems too much. And I don't know why their parents do not stop it. a "not now, Greta" doesn't seem enough! I feel like slap her some times!
June just received the tea pot and Toby's note, and I guess she will meet him in the train station. That gives me the shivers. I suppose he is trustworthy, but the idea of a 14 years old girl taking a train with an stranger to "talk"... doesn't seem right. (hide spoiler)]

I still cannot read spoilers, since I'm way behind...

I hope you feel better soon, Kristie! Migraine is terrible.

Get well soon, Kristie! As a fellow migraine sufferer, I feel your pain. Hopefully the neurologist will be able to help.

Thanks, ladies. Hopefully, it will pass soon. :)

I got to chapter 17, so I read the first series of spoilers (view spoiler)[ I'm sure June's crush is over the top, but since the story is written in first person, she describes it in a normal way, but it's not what it seems from outside.
I get the part of everybody judging Toby because of all the terror around AIDS in the 1980s, but for me is still creepy he contacting June and wanting to talk to her behind her parents' backs. It seems inappropriate to me. (hide spoiler)]

I feel like I'm starting to enjoy more the story now. It's not that I didn't like it, but only now I think it really caught me.

Lisa wrote: "I read up to Chapter 45 yesterday.

Cherie, I agree, it's a very sad story. What I like the most about it is that it's not just a story about [spoilers removed]

Greta - [spoilers removed]"

Yes, Lisa. I totally agree with both of your comments. I am really looking forward to seeing where this goes.

Kristie wrote: "I'm in chapter 31. I haven't gotten very far because I've had another migraine the past couple of days. I'm heading to the neurologist today. Hopefully, I'll be able to read more and catch up a bit..."

Wow, Kristie. I loved your questions. I had the same thoughts.
Re: Danni - I think Lisa answered this well.
Re Drawing (view spoiler)[ I was thinking that maybe Greta did the skull drawing. (hide spoiler)]
Re Toby (view spoiler)[ I am not sure that Finn asked Toby to take care of June. I think Toby is reaching out to June as a way of holding onto Finn and it does make sense to me. Also - because he really, really has no one else to care for him. (hide spoiler)]
Re June and her family (view spoiler)[ I think it is going to be "all hell week when June's family finds out - but maybe she has the strength to pull them together and see that they have been unjust to Toby and allow them to grieve for Finn without the hate.

Oh - I hope your migraine is calming down by now, Kristie. (hide spoiler)]

Sandra wrote: "I just finished chapter 12 June seems to be such a sensitive girl. And I can't believe how mean Greta can be with her. Is the reason for that only that June was Finn's favorite? It seems too much. ..."

I was shocked at how mean Greta comes off too, Sandra. I do not think she lets her parents see this though. (view spoiler)[ Her meanness may be because she feels left out of the relationship with Finn. I think she uses her meanness to cover up her real emotions, because she cannot figure out how to talk to June. (hide spoiler)]

Finished chapter 26 (view spoiler)[ Now Toby showed up in June's school... I'm having problems liking him. I don't get what is he doing chasing a 14 years old girl. It's weird, it's creepy, it's annoying. I envision that there are things June will discover about Finn, her mother, and their relationship, and I'm intrigued. (It seems that Danni used to sketch too, and something bad seems to have happened between she and Finn, and also why Finn disappeared from public life 10 years ago) But I don't like the way the author decided June and Toby start their relationship (hide spoiler)]

Sandra wrote: "Finished chapter 26 [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[The problem, is, though, that June and Toby are never going to have a relationship, if Toby did not initiate it. He cannot keep showing up on the doorstep leaving packages and June's parents have made it pretty clear that they are not going to talk about the guy, especially when she cannot make herself confront them. Maybe it is creepy that he showed up at school, but I can understand it. (hide spoiler)] keep reading :)

Sandra wrote: "I just finished chapter 12 [spoilers removed]"

I thought the same thing about (view spoiler)[ June meeting up with a strange man on a train. It just seemed a bit creepy.

Also, I agree her sister is mean to her. Something is up with her. I'm just not sure exactly what. (hide spoiler)]

I have additional thoughts now, but don't want to spoil anything. :)

Cherie wrote: "Kristie wrote: "I'm in chapter 31. I haven't gotten very far because I've had another migraine the past couple of days. I'm heading to the neurologist today. Hopefully, I'll be able to read more an..."

Made it to chapter 39 today. Migraine is breaking and will hopefully be completely gone tomorrow. Phew!

Re: The drawing, I think you're right. Actually, at this point, I'm almost certain that is right. :)

Re: Toby, again I agree. (view spoiler)[ I feel bad for Toby - hiding out in the basement, taking the blame, and having no one else in the world. It is so sad. I really hope June can bring them all together. I think maybe the truth will have to come out for that to happen, but maybe not. (hide spoiler)]

Re: Greta - I agree, I think she(view spoiler)[ is mean because she doesn't know how to talk to June. I think maybe June left her out and was distant when her uncle was around. This may have created a distance between them and hurt Greta's feelings. There may be other things going on with her too. It certainly seems so.

It also seems that Greta wants to have a relationship with June. She jumped at the chance to cover for her with the theater excuse and invites her to the parties. When she wants to talk about boys, etc, Greta is all in, she just doesn't want to talk about her uncle and adult stuff.

Maybe she has had too much adult stuff put on her? She seems to shy away from adult conversations (other than spying - maybe she overheard something?) and responsibilities (i.e. the Broadway audition). I'm taking into consideration that she skipped a grade and is a lot younger than her classmates. (hide spoiler)]

Also (view spoiler)[ I'm wondering if Danni had something to do with Finn leaving the spotlight and not really Toby... (hide spoiler)]

Kristie wrote: "Cherie wrote: "Kristie wrote: "I'm in chapter 31. I haven't gotten very far because I've had another migraine the past couple of days. I'm heading to the neurologist today. Hopefully, I'll be able ..."

Re Greta (view spoiler)[I think being so much younger than her classmates is causing her pressure at school, for sure, and she has no one to talk to about it. I think she wants the closeness back with June, but doesn't know how to go about it. I think she used to feel a special ness when she was in charge of June, but June has grown up and is so different from Greta - she cannot connect AND I think she definitely felt left out of the relationship that June had with Finn. Maybe Finn did not know how to include her. I think the painting was a way to make them see their connection - maybe. (hide spoiler)]