Books and Jams Readalong discussion

What are your first impressions...
of the story,
of the characters,
of the pacing,
of the writing style?

I read far more than this section. I am at chapter 20.
My first impressions are positive, I really like the setting and the characters. Daniel and Fermin especially are my favorites.
The plot is also very interesting but some sections had a slower tempo. I have a feeling that it will be more involved in the mystery as we read the next sections.
I found the book easy to read, the translation is really successful.

My first impression of this book is very "meh".

The writing is done well and I do love the setting in Barcelona. I think I expected a more action driven plot.

After 14 chapters very little has happened about developing the who or why around the Carax books or any sense of urgency of acquiring the book from Daniel. I am changing my expectations for the book to more of "enjoy the journey" reading rather than "getting to the destination".

I do like the library setting and the discussions of just being in love with acquiring and enjoying books....I can definitely identify with that.

I am hoping that the plot and pace picks up a bit as the book progresses.

Regarding the translation....I am pretty sure both references to "ass lickers" in the text should be "ass kissers", but it's almost funnier in context to get it wrong.

Just finished chapter 13 and I’m really enjoying this book. I know a bit of Spanish and the translation seems to be pretty good.
I do enjoy Daniel anD Fermin,as one of the other readers commented. And Daniel’s father as well Just seems just like a very kind man.
I don’t know much about Barcelona so enjoy the references in the back, and 5he photos, for the walking tour.

Kim wrote: "Just finished chapter 13 and I’m really enjoying this book. I know a bit of Spanish and the translation seems to be pretty good.
I do enjoy Daniel anD Fermin,as one of the other readers commented...."

How cool that your edition has those references at the back. Mine doesn't have them. Bummer.

Andrew wrote: "My first impression of this book is very "meh".

The writing is done well and I do love the setting in Barcelona. I think I expected a more action driven plot.

After 14 chapters very little has h..."

I'm feeling very similar. I'm finding the pacing to be inconsistent. There are sections that I seem to fly through and others that I have to force myself to stay awake. I haven't yet been captivated by the story, but am hopeful.

I also love the expectation change to "enjoy the journey". I'm going to adopt that!

I just finished this section. I am enjoying getting to know these characters, but am ready for more of the mystery to unfold. I am not at a point where I'm eager to pick it up each day to keep reading, but hopeful that the pace picks up for me. Fermin has to be one of my favorite characters so far and although he's a side character I hope he sticks around as the story progresses.

My copy has the walking tour as well. I think that's a really great addition to the book.

As far as the book goes, I am liking the story and the characters, but I am really enjoying the writing style. It's almost like music to me.

I'm fine with the pacing. I think I have mentioned to you before, Krista, that I tend to enjoy character-driven stories, so I don't mind the sections that the plot seems to drag on.

I tend to pick up this book for bedtime reading. Due to past trauma (and PTSD symptoms,) I tend to shy away from most anxiety-inducing books right before bed. This one has been great for night reading, because I find it soothing.

The mystery of the disappearing books is intriguing, and I'm looking forward to digging in deeper to the story.

Oh, and I hate Clara! Her boyfriend too! :)

Jessica wrote: "My copy has the walking tour as well. I think that's a really great addition to the book.

As far as the book goes, I am liking the story and the characters, but I am really enjoying the writing st..."

Glad you're enjoying it! There are parts coming up that get a bit creepy, but hopefully it won't be too bad for you.

I also was so very annoyed with Clara. She flip-flopped between being so condescending, to using Daniel, to really being a friend. It was frustrating. But that piano teacher/boyfriend I could have punched his nose! Ugh!!

Liking this so far 95-98% better than Sharp Objects. :-)

I want to throw fantasy in and say that (view spoiler)[the stranger/devil is Daniel himself time traveling, whose life has been messed up by the book and the author. Hence the revenge. Or the "devil" is the author himself, making sure all of his books are destroyed because of some terrible history probably to do with the castle. (hide spoiler)] However I could be and probably am completely wrong about my suppositions!

Can't say I liked (view spoiler)[ how graphic the sex scene is that Daniel witnesses, or the music teacher himself (LOCK THE DOOR if you don't want to be interrupted or put up a sock at least! Morons!) Also, Clara, don't be so easy going about strangers touching you on the neck. *Shudder* (hide spoiler)] but I really appreciate Daniel's father! He seems pretty standup. The new employee also seems pretty convenient... guess we'll see.

I know this is book one in a series, but does this book end as a complete novel in itself? IE, should I be expecting a cliffhanger?

Krista wrote: "Jessica wrote: "My copy has the walking tour as well. I think that's a really great addition to the book.

As far as the book goes, I am liking the story and the characters, but I am really enjoyin..."

Thanks for the heads-up about the upcoming creep-factor. :)

Jill wrote: "Liking this so far 95-98% better than Sharp Objects. :-)

I want to throw fantasy in and say that [spoilers removed] However I could be and probably am completely wrong about my suppositions!

Ca..."

So much YES!!! I agree and also enjoyed this one SO SO much more than Sharp Objects. I also love your suspicions...just keep reading! Until this year I never realized this was the first in a series. I even own a few other of his books, but still didn't realize they were in this series! haha. NO cliffhanger to worry about.

I am finding this one good but slow-going so far. I don't tend to choose literary books like this very often. It is definitely outside my comfort zone but that is not a bad thing!

I am definitely interested in find out what Julian Carax's story is.

Keep reading. It’s fun. See my discussion in the section from Nuria to the end.