The Procrastinators Book Club discussion

This is the group thread for Anatomy: A Love Story!

This thread is open for discussion beginning May 1st! Please keep in mind that spoilers are allowed (mark as a spoiler) in this thread but only up to the group's current reading place. Do not spoil the book if you've read further than the group. Any extra days of the month can be used to catch up if needed! Page numbers are an approximation based on the hardcover or paperback that is the default on Goodreads.

The Group Read Discussion schedule is as follows:

Week of 05/01
May 01: Chapters 1-2 or 17 pages

Week of 05/02
May 02: Chapters 3-4 or 17 pages
May 03: Chapters 5-6 or 17 pages
May 04: Chapters 7-8 or 17 pages
May 05: Chapters 9-10 or 17 pages
May 06: Chapters 11-12 or 17 pages
May 07: Chapters 13-14 or 17 pages
May 08: Chapters 15-16 or 17 pages

Week of 05/09
May 09: Chapters 17-18 or 17 pages
May 10: Chapters 19-20 or 17 pages
May 11: Chapters 21-22 or 17 pages
May 12: Chapters 23-24 or 17 pages
May 13: Chapters 25-26 or 17 pages
May 14: Chapters 27-28 or 17 pages
May 15: Chapters 29-30 or 17 pages

Week of 05/16
May 16: Chapters 31-32 or 17 pages
May 17: Chapters 33-34 or 17 pages
May 18: Chapters 35-36 or 17 pages
May 19: Chapters 37-38 or 17 pages
May 20: extra day or 17 pages

You can read the group book at any time during the month and at your own pace. This is the pace the group will be using, but if you read ahead or will be giving spoilers, please mark them (click the "some html is ok button"). If you have any questions a mod or another member can help you.

I’m so excited to read this book. I love a good macabre period-piece. Just got through the prologue and chapter one. I can tell I’m going to like Hazel’s character.

@Kylie, I totally agree! I was worried Hazel might be a bit "not-like-other-girls"-y (like another book in a similar time frame about a young girl who wants to be a surgeon or something cough cough Stalking Jack the Ripper cough cough can you tell I didn't like that book cough cough) but I think she's really cool so far! I'm probably going to read a little bit ahead to see when the plot really kicks into gear.

Also I'm in LOVE with the cover!!!! I love that it is both an anatomically correct heart and a girl--presumably supposed to be Hazel--in a dress. Excellent cover design, 10/10.

I actually agree with you about stalking Jack the Ripper! I wasn’t a fan, but I REALLY wanted to be.

I was going to comment on how I like how the pages feel, but thought that might seem weird lol. I like the cover too, although I’m going to have to take another look at it now you mention a girl in a dress. I was just really drawn to the aesthetic of this book as well as the synopsis.

I'm starting this tomorrow as I had a busy day. I'm really excited to hear what y'all think about the book!

This book so far doesn’t read YA. Maybe more new adult, which I am so here for. I love the atmosphere that we are getting. (Gothic/ Horror vibes). Hazel I think is going to be an amazing character. I like her already.

I was checking in to see where everyone is in the book. I just finished chapter 8. I am fascinated by the mystery of some of these men and if anything is going to bring us back to the prologue.

I just finished this book today and absolutely loved it! I didn't even realize this was a group read, I just saw the cover and fell in love! :)

I've been to and adore Edinburgh, so the location was a big plus for me. And while I read a lot of genres, my all time favorite is historical fiction, and the author did a great job of including wonderful (and horrifying) details of life (and death) in 19th century Scotland.

I'm starting this now - there's a quote from Neil Gaiman on the cover which already bodes well, and funnily enough she started with a quote from Frankenstein which I'm also reading at the moment so that's an odd coincidence!

Ok I absolutely breezed through this one - I really enjoyed the settting, and Hazel as a character!

I also felt like the (view spoiler)[ secret of Dr. Beecham was clever, even if it was a bit expected (hide spoiler)]

I'm a little frustrated with the pacing of this book so far. I'm at about the 150 page mark, and we're just now getting to things that weren't in the synopsis. That's practically halfway through before any plot is actually happening. I'm worried the second half will be rushed since the first was so slow, but we'll see. Maybe it will balance nicely.

I'm still really enjoying Hazel as a main character so far. I'm hoping there will be more chapters from Jack's perspective as he becomes a bigger part of the story.

I'm not really a fan of gothics, but I decided to give it a try.

So far, I'm grossed out (lol) but I figured that was gonna happen. And I just know those doctors are evil.

Okay, I finished this at work today because it was dead, and I think I just misunderstood what this book was. I could have sworn there was some sort of speculative element, something magic-y, but with it just being straight historical fiction, I found myself a bit bored. This is a genre that doesn't really mesh well with me for some reason, so I'm not surprised I didn't end up really loving it. I didn't really understand what the point of the story was. The ending didn't really offer enough resolution for me to feel satisfied and like I was getting a good payoff.

I'm glad I tried to expand my horizons even though it didn't totally work out. Someday I will find the type of historical fiction that I love lol.

@Katie I agree that I didn't get the point of the story. Someone said it felt like a history book, and I can see why they said that. Although, I don't think it's to that extent.

(view spoiler)[ I knew at least one of those doctors was gonna turn out evil. I'm sure Dr. Beecham meant well in the name of science, but to take someone's life is crazy.

I loved Hazel and I'm glad that she's doing exactly what she was meant to do. Test or not, she's obviously a damn good surgeon. (hide spoiler)]

Hey guys! Finished this a few minutes ago, and wow!

I have to say that, throughout reading this, I kept thinking that I "shouldn't" be enjoying it, because usually I don't like books that give me a similar vibe.

And still, I couldn't unglue myself from this book. It's been years since I read a book over 300 pages in one day, and especially in only two seatings.

Overall, it was a bit predictable and a lot gruesome, but something totally lured me in.

Maybe I liked the author's writing style? I just can't figure exactly what made me like this so much, haha.

Going to be starting this one today....looks interesting....

I finished this one a few days ago. I listened to the audiobook, which was really good (the narrator had a cool Scottish accent haha). I didn't enjoy this as much as I wanted to, but I honestly think it's because it's so hyped up. I've seen soooo many good reviews for this one and it sounded like something I would like, so I just assumed I would. I agree with what Katie said about the pacing. I felt like I was waiting forever for something to happen and then it just all went down at once.

(view spoiler)[ I did really like Hazel. I would honestly read another book about her because I'd love to see what she does next. Everything just felt underdeveloped to me, though - the other characters, the plot, her relationship with Jack. I wasn't a fan of the abrupt ending either. So, unfortunately, not for me, but I'm glad so many people are enjoying it! (hide spoiler)]

Just got my copy from the library. Starting today.

I just finished Anatomy: a love story. What a wild ride? Sometimes when I read a group read, I jump in without any notions of what I’m getting into, and this fits that for sure. All I knew was YA recommended by Reese Witherspoon. The whodunnit, the romance and the big reveal of the book were all kind of equally appealing, but what I really loved about this book was how I could so vividly picture Hazel and Jack. I really found the characterization of Hazel and Jack really charming and quite sophisticated. I think YA books have come a long way since I was a YA-aged reader.

This book definitely feel like typical YA to me. And is it bad that Reese made me want to read it? 😂

Finished today. I really enjoyed reading it, but felt let down by the ending. I see what others have said about not getting the point. I’m frustrated by many of the characters’ outcomes. I didn’t realize going in that there was going to be a bit of a supernatural twist, so the alchemy kinda rubbed me wrong.

I'm way behind in the reading (just started this week and on chapter 5 right now), but I am looking forward to how this story will play out. The setting is interesting and the main female character is intriguing so far. This sounds like it will have some very ominous goings-on based on the cemetery scene....

Started this today, I'm on chapter 5 now so I don't have much to say. I love the Scottish narration in the audiobook. And Percy seems like an annoying character and I'm judging him based on one appearance.

I'm almost half-way through the book and... all good positive that I can say is that I like the writing, it's flowing effortlessly. But other than that I feel indifference, and by the point where I'm at I think that things should've moved more than they did.

I also wait for her betrothed that she'll "have her whole life to be nice to" to break up the still not official engagement. I mean that has to be a step.

Prologue - Chapter 7

I wasn't sure if I would have time to pick this one up but due to internet issues I ended up with more time to read so I decided to start this one! It'll be interesting to see what happens. We've only really been introduced to the characters and not a whole lot of plot has happened (in my opinion) so I'm still pretty open in regards to assumptions/predictions/etc. It is very of the times that she is almost engaged to her cousin. I also lowkey love that its Edinburgh and not like London or another more popular location for books set in this time frame (that I've come across at least). Also, am intrigued about her dad's placement with Napoleon - it's mentioned a few times so I can't help but wonder if that will play a factor in the story at some point.

Chapters 8 - 13

"Such a little mind she has, Lavinia." - wow that was sassy! lol
"It was an impossible situation, a trick of society as a whole: force women to live at the mercy of whichever man wants them but shame them for anything they might do to get a man to want them." - I don't feel like times have changed all that much. lol

I like hearing about Jack's comfortability backstage and such. As a former theater kid, there is something so soothing about it. He's also not wrong that you can get some of the best views during the performance while still completing your tasks.

Ugh Dr. Straine is a prick! "Yes, on the whole, the female brain is smaller, more susceptible to hysterics and emotion, less inclined to reason."

So I finished and I'm a bit let down! I did not like the ending - I felt it was rushed and that twist was kind of unnecessary almost?

I really did not like Bernard by the end of it that's for sure though!

Yes some of the men in the story are real jerks when it comes to women and belittle their intelligence, thoughts and emotions - a lot of gaslighting going on in the book. But the twist near the end (page 319-320 in my book) was really unexpected with Dr. Beecham - while I knew he was behind the kidnappings and unfortunate carving-up of poorer citizens, the actual reasoning behind astonished me.
While I agree that the ending was a bit rushed, I liked the rest of the book so much that it made up for the ending. And while it didn't have the ending I had hoped for, it was probably the most logical given the situation.

I loved the setting and vibes, but the pacing was too slow at the beginning and too fast at the end, which ruined the book for me. Also the romance seemed very forced and came out of nowhere. I think this book would have worked better if it were more mature. But I'm still hooked enough to wait for the sequel! :)

jime wrote: "I loved the setting and vibes, but the pacing was too slow at the beginning and too fast at the end, which ruined the book for me. Also the romance seemed very forced and came out of nowhere. I thi..."

I didn't know there was going to be a sequel! If there is, it is one that I would be interested in picking up although I didn't absolutely love this one.

My goal for today is to finish this book. And I really don't feel like reading it, it's feeling flat, nothing exciting has happened, and the "romance" oh, gosh.. not feeling any of it.

🙄🙄 Oh, she's the greatest surgeon that ever was 🙄 I mean she must be good, she did have all that practice, but Dr. Beecham didn't see her do those things and he's all oh, you are good, you'll be great.

I wished more of the things have been better explained, or introduced earlier like the whole immortality nonsense that was presented in the last 10% 😂 Okay, to be fair the elixir was mentioned in the first chapter, BUT that's the only time I remember it being mentioned and honestly only that doesn't make you go "Aha! Immortality elixir" I really have no idea how Hazel made that brilliant deduction connecting it and Beecham.