Books and Jams Readalong discussion

Three more chapters done.

Have any of your impressions of the characters changed?
How do you like Eva and her journey and how she responds to the people around her?
How are you finding the pacing and writing style?
Are you hungry yet?

I am still really enjoying this. Have any of you read Olive Kitterige? I had heard this one compared to Olive and didn't quite get it until I read the chapter called Venison. I didn't care for that chapter. Eva only showed up for a tiny bit of it. I wanted to get back to her story. I do love all the food descriptions, even if they're a bit more "fancy" than what I normally eat!

I am about half way in the audio book. Sadly, I have no indication of the chapters. However, I just read about Walleye fishing so I guess I finished the Walleye chapter. I am not really loving this book. It jumps forward in time too much for me. I hope we find out what happens to her cousin. Also, I am from Minnesota. No kids are going to be given a car to drive from Wisconsin to Lake Mille Lacs to fish for a day (way too many miles).

This is the first book I have read that has so much food description. So far I don’t think it adds to my reading experience.

So far this book is very meh. I read Olive Kitteridge a few months ago and thought the same thing: just basically vignettes moving through Eva’s life.
I do like her character, but I’ll admit I was confused as to which woman was her mom and which was Braque and Randy’s mom. Kept referring back to the first chapter to try to keep it straight...then would promptly forget at the next reference.
I really wish the writer would be more clear on what year it is. I don’t mind the length of time passing, just would like it to be a little clearer. The writing style is fine, but I do find his writing of the characters to be rather superficial...even Eva, who is the star of the show. I enjoy more character development. And this last section, Venison, really had nothing to do with her at all, other than it’s her boyfriend’s brother whose story is being told.
I’ve never really been a game eater so I’ll pass on a lot of the meats and even fish they’ve talked about. But the salads, etc., yes, please!

I am enjoying how we are learning about Eva through others’ perspectives. I agree that some are better than others. I also feel that we are left hanging at times. I would have liked to follow some story lines for longer.

After reading the middle section, I like Eva even more- chose staying with her ill father (love/obligation?) over going to Bali with Robbe (desire?- though he turned out to be a selfish thief). I'm enjoying the Eva story as told through the other characters’ chapters- Sweet Pepper Jelly: Braque, Walleye: Will Prager, Golden Bantam: Octavia Kincaide (oh, Octavia....), and Venison: Jordy Snelling (though not so much Eva story present there). Hopefully later in the book we follow up on these characters.
Am I hungry yet? Eva’s palate is more sophisticated than mine. I may try the French Onion soup recipe though.

After reading this section, I was struck by all the dead parents and Eva's absent mother. That seems so strange. I like the peeks at Eva's life and enjoy the book more after this section than I did after the first section.