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

One of the group reads for August is The Secret Book of Flora Lea by Patti Callahan Henry. Please discuss the book in this thread.

Jayme will be leading the discussion.

In order to receive a badge you must:
1. have read the book before or during August 2023.
2. discussed it in this thread. Discussion must be more than "I read the book and I liked it". Discussion requires something more substantial and analytical of what you read, for example, thoughts, opinions, impact it had on you, what was your favorite part, was it what you expected it to be like etc. You may also like to review the book and post a link to the review in this thread. Please refer to our group spoiler policy for further information.
3. Report that you have read AND discussed the book in the reporting thread (include a brief summary of what you thought of the book).

A note on discussion: Discussion must be more than "I read the book and I liked it". Discussion requires something more substantial and analytical of what you read, for example, thoughts, opinions, impact it had on you, what was your favorite part, was it what you expected it to be like etc.

In addition to this, the group reads are meant to be a "read along" so it is preferable that you discuss the book as you read rather than wait until you've finished the book.

And finally, discussion is not about just listing your thoughts. Please interact with the other group members, comment on their thoughts, and if they comment on yours, respond to them. This is what makes a good book discussion!

You may also like to review the book and post a link to the review in this thread.

Please refer to our group spoiler policy for further information.

General Rules:
1. Please mark your spoilers with the spoiler tags along with mentioning what stage of the book you are at so other's don't get a nasty shock. Chapter numbers/titles are generally best as they are the same across all formats and editions. See our spoiler policy
2. The book may be combined with the Year Long Challenge, Topplers, and Monthly Challenges.

Happy reading!

I am hoping to start this tomorrow, if I can finish my current read tonight. 🤞

I'm not sure if I'll get to this one because I have so many "secret" books I want to read. If I do, it will be later in the month. I look forward to seeing what everyone thinks of it. It sounds really good.

I just started the book and it has pulled me in.

Chapter 1 (view spoiler)[ Did Flora drown? Did someone call her name? I already like this little girl, so I hope nothing bad has happened to her. (hide spoiler)]
Chapter 2(view spoiler)[ It's been twenty years and now Hazel as an adult is leaving a great job - I want that job - at a rare book shop and will soon be working at Sotheby's. I have a feeling that she will never get to Sotheby's. And who has written a book about an imaginary land that she has made up? (hide spoiler)]
Chapter 3 (view spoiler)[ What a wonderful big sister Hazel is to Flora and how sad that they lost their dad in the war. I love the land of Whisperwood and she must be freaking out that a book has her story in it. Is Flora alive? (hide spoiler)]

Through chapter 7 (view spoiler)[ I have heard of Operation Pied Piper and actually taught a bit about it in my WWII unit. And of course the The Chronicles of Narnia The Lion, the Witch & the Wardrobe is the reason the children are in the countryside. I am beginning to think that something ominous happened to Flora and maybe it wasn't as magical as a door in a fairy tale. (I did just check the MPG and some people have classified it as a fantasy, so maybe) But how the events of the past are slowly beginning to be revealed is leading me to think that there is a secret that Hazel has kept.
I have a feeling that she will be heading to New York soon. (hide spoiler)]
The story is becoming very suspenseful and I am enjoying the history too.

Through chapter 14
I don't know what to think (view spoiler)[ A lot going on. Now I understand a bit about the guilt that she feels over Flora going missing since she was with Harry and not watching Flora.
The phone call to Peggy was interesting. I think her mother has something to do with Flora, but I can't figure out who she is or her relationship to the girls, but she is the one who told Peggy the story of Whisperwood, so she is important. I thought it might have been Harry's mom, but Hazel is going to visit her soon.
I have to admit that I haven't figured this mystery out yet. (hide spoiler)]
Heading back to the book to see if I can solve this mystery!

Through chapter 21 (they are very short chapters)

I cannot put this book down. I am beginning to see where the book is heading and think (view spoiler)[ that the nurse from America had something to do with the disappearance of Flora.
And don't you just love Birdie. I want to visit her in her cottage and walk by the river. I also think that Hazel may get chummy with Harry ; ) (hide spoiler)]

I put a hold on a hard copy of this book at the Library, which is now available. As I am travelling today to Sydney for a few days, will not be a be able to pick it up until early next week.
Looking forward to reading this book and adding my thoughts to the discussion

Odette wrote: "I put a hold on a hard copy of this book at the Library, which is now available. As I am travelling today to Sydney for a few days, will not be a be able to pick it up until early next week.
Looki..."

Glad you are joining. I'm really enjoying the book.

Through chapter 30. Ok I think I've got it.
(view spoiler)[
I think that one of the nurses either Imogene or Francis took Flora. The nurses baby sat Flora every once and awhile and both seemed really upset at the St Bridget's festival believing that Birdie was a pagan. They may have took Flora feeling that she was in an unsafe unchristian environment and, if they found her at the river's edge, it might have solidified their thoughts that she wasn't being taken care of.
I'm glad Hazel has reconnected with Harry again, but am rather mad that she left him before he showed her his studio. Not a friend thing to do, but I get that she is realizing that her feelings for him are still very strong. (hide spoiler)]

Book Finished and... (view spoiler)[
I was right that one of the nurses did take Flora, but I didn't suspect that Flora was the journalist who wanted an interview, but she is mentioned a lot through out the story so I should have figured it out..
I really enjoyed the book overall. I did think it was a bit slow in some parts, but it didn't take away from the story plot.
I think that the book was very realistic in how Dot and the family handled the information - they didn't fall into each others arms, but were cautiously optimistic with dealing with the realities of the situation. (hide spoiler)]
Overall a solid 4 star read.

I finished this book on July 27 for a book club (I think this still counts, I'm still learning here) and did not care for it at all. I had an Amazon First Reads ebook I think partly because this genre (historical fiction set around WWII) has been overdone recently and authors are trying to get creative. There were some details that were pretty unbelievable while others you could forecast in the early chapters. I gave it 3-stars.

Kristi wrote: "I finished this book on July 27 for a book club (I think this still counts, I'm still learning here) and did not care for it at all. I had an Amazon First Reads ebook I think partly because this ge..."

Hi Kristi -
Which parts did you think were unbelievable? Make sure to answer with spoilers 😉

Kristi wrote: "I finished this book on July 27 for a book club (I think this still counts, I'm still learning here) and did not care for it at all. I had an Amazon First Reads ebook I think partly because this ge..."

Hi Kristi - It still counts. It's the discussion that's the important part with group reads. The start and end dates dates are more important for the challenges and topplers.

Sorry, I will not be able to participate in the discussion. I was visiting family last weekend and am due to leave on a 2 week holiday/tour this Sunday. Had to cancel my reserve on this book as realised I do not have time to read and discuss before I go away. Also, the internet connections may be patchy while I am away.
Looks a good book and is on my TBR list.

Odette wrote: "Sorry, I will not be able to participate in the discussion. I was visiting family last weekend and am due to leave on a 2 week holiday/tour this Sunday. Had to cancel my reserve on this book as rea..."

No worries, Odette. Enjoy your holiday.

Jayme wrote: "Kristi wrote: "I finished this book on July 27 for a book club (I think this still counts, I'm still learning here) and did not care for it at all. I had an Amazon First Reads ebook I think partly ..."

(view spoiler)[The first eye roll moment for me was when Hazel discovered the book itself. This rare book just happens to find her on her last day on her job. And happens to have a personal connection to her? (hide spoiler)]

Kristi wrote: "Jayme wrote: "Kristi wrote: "I finished this book on July 27 for a book club (I think this still counts, I'm still learning here) and did not care for it at all. I had an Amazon First Reads ebook I..."

I'll agree with you on that. I had to suspend a little belief.

Kristi wrote: "Jayme wrote: "Kristi wrote: "I finished this book on July 27 for a book club (I think this still counts, I'm still learning here) and did not care for it at all. I had an Amazon First Reads ebook I..."

Hey Kristi - don't forget to report that you read the book in the following link to get a badge on your Wall of Fame.
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Doesn't look like I will be getting to this one this month but since I bought a hardback copy, I will have it on hand to read when I get to it. I will come back and read the spoilers when I do. ;o)