Worth the Read discussion

This month's selection is The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern. Suspend belief a bit while curling up with this magical novel. It won't disappoint.

It's a captivating novel where the words paint vivid pictures and the colorful story keeps the pages turning. Pure magical fantasy -- a fun read for summer.

I really really really did not like this book. And I don't come to that conclusion lightly as I read it when it came out and read it in full for the book club to make sure I wasn't in a bad place when I read it the first time. I read for the story. This book had incredible verbiage and descriptive confections. But the story was (**Spoiler alert-from here on) about a couple of sociopaths who play a game that was never fully explained to the players who were engaged without their knowledge for years...and years...and years...and years...without a single nod to purpose or engagement by the participants. I am a thriller/serial killer/science fiction/fantasy devotee so the idea of this novel was so up my reading alley. World building? Check. Magic? Check (although for some reason the author chose to deny the existence of "magic" to the bitter end). Resolutions of story threads were tossed in without apparent need to let the reader in on it (e.g.: Isobel's spanner thrown in to the circus works out of unrequited love pique)----oh ok I'll stop there.

Not a fan. But love the blood running violently through my system as I head out into another work day loaded with vim and vigor!! BRING ON NUMBER THREE ASHLEY!!! I am having a blast!!!

I loved this book. I read it when it first came out and thought the language and the descriptions were beautifully vivid. It completely allowed me to escape into another world. I found myself wanting to go to many of the tents that were created as part of the contest, especially the snow tent. It sounds amazing. I also like that even though the game was started by two guys who clearly need something better to do, the players prove to better people who use their talents to impress each other as well as anyone lucky enough to stumble into the circus. It is just a reminder that we always have a choice about what kind of person we want to be - even when others try to manipulate our world. Oh yeah! And I love Bailey's choice in the end!

Kathy -- love your insight! Thanks for posting. I agree that this book isn't for everyone. I found it entertaining because of the fantastic description of the circus. I could definitely picture it in my mind's eye. I also liked the overall idea (spoiler alert) that love triumphs over wickedness. It is definitely dark and ominous in parts, but the ultimate goal of the two ancient magicians—to pit the players against each other to the death—was thwarted. Instead, the players tried to impress and delight each other with their creations. They collaborated, against counsel. AND in the end, they sacrificed themselves for the betterment of others. I'm not a magic/divination/tarot card-reading believer of any sort, so I had to overlook all that. But I found the overall book to be an enchanting page-turner.

Keep posting other book suggestions!!

I loved this book! I was captivated by the descriptions of the circus and the imagination of the author. The book takes you into a "magical" place if you let it and enjoy this type of fantasy reading. I did not want it to end! I am a fan of the circus and the mystery it holds....great second book!

I really did not like this book. It was slow in plot development and really was a dull love story. The men that were masterminds of the competition were self absorbed and awful fathers. Probably the biggest reason I did not like this book is I have never been a fan of circuses. I do still enjoy the opportunity to read books that I would otherwise pass over and look forward to another great selection next month.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, I felt like it was the most creative and unique book setting I have read in quite some time. The writing was exquisite in its ability to paint vivid pictures. I really pulled for the characters to "win." Very worth the read!

I read The Night Circus when it came out and have been conscientiously not doing so since--so that I can enjoy it all the more when I do pick it up again. I read like other people eat--which is to say, regularly enough not to remember the details of any particular meal--but the imagery and emotion of this fantasy/romance are still fresh in my mind after several years. My favorite thing about Erin Morgenstern's writing here is the way she creates descriptions of the magical things and events as if they are visual works of art--remarkably detailed and original, and delightful because of it. I always enjoy a forbidden romance, too, and I thought Morgenstern's did a nice job of using the magical rules the two lovers were bound by to keep the tension high throughout the novel. Guess I'm going to have to keep trying to forget a little more in order to pick this one back up!

Michaux, you did it so much better than I could! Loved this book!

I liked the book! I enjoyed the imagination and the wonder of this story. I liked the way the story the characters were all entwined together. I have to say I was expecting a bigger ending. It sorta fizzled out to me at the end. Also, it reminded me of the movie Inception. I felt the coin was still spinning at the end of the book, not knowing if this was a dream or not. Certainly, I would have liked a more concrete ending. Of course I like things all wrapped up with a bow on top, no questions remaining. However, I thoroughly enjoyed this read.

Great book! It is refreshingly different from most of what I've read lately. Morgenstern has an exquisite imagination.