Hooked on Books discussion

Members Starting the BR: Chapter Champions
Challenge: Book Quest Adventures
Book: Memories of the Lost by Barbara O'Neal

Anyone is free to join in this Buddy Read! Happy Reading!

20 chapters

(view spoiler)[
I think this is the type of Magical Realism that I don't connect with

I'm finding their instant attraction and the way they are feral for each other distracting and I don't love it.

I also struggle with the idea of her chocolates having some kind of restorative power or somehow encompass the emotion she feels when she makes it. I do like the idea of paintings expressing an idea or feeling though. That I totally agree with!

but I'm glad the mystery has started - why does she have the same name as the death certificate? is Sammy (the imaginary friend) somehow tied to all this? and who do the bones belong to?

it definitely sounds like her scar is tied somehow to the fire (hide spoiler)]

through Part 1 / 27 chapters

(view spoiler)[ I don't feel like we've learned much.
now we know she had a sister - that others know the stories from her mom, even if she hadn't

and that the new guy is very very famous from some meditating app and that they're going to try this long distance thing
(hide spoiler)]

40 chapters

(view spoiler)[
wow, her breaks in what she remembers, losing her phone, not remembering the previous painting and this cat that keeps popping up in her paintings (and she keeps forgetting) - I can't even imagine how scary that must be

I also can't figure out how/why they are tied together. . .why her research keeps bringing them to the same small towns and the ways they were homeschooled and had similar childhoods

oh and shocking he fired his friend - he really was trying to manipulate him but wow, it was such a quick harsh decision. . . (hide spoiler)]

I should be able to start this later today.

and done

(view spoiler)[
awe, I love that they were twins! I can't imagine how shocking and startling that would feel to find out as a an adult that you didn't know so much about her childhood.

Especially to find out the person you loved and raised you actually stole you. . . (hide spoiler)]

I read this a little over a year ago and know that I liked it, but honestly can't remember much about it. It's interesting how some books stick with you and some just float away shortly after you read them.

Anyway, I don't remember it being this woo-woo. 😉

I'm on chapter 40. I like the dreamy quality, but am not sure I like it as much as I did the first time I read it. But I'll wait and see when I get to the end. Sometimes the ending of a book makes all the difference.

Sometimes books hit at the right time! I'm reading a really tough book along with a magic realism that has a lot of nostalgia in it! If I wasn't reading it with another tough read, I might not love it as much but I'm loving it so far! So I totally understand!

I hope the ending pulls it all together and you get the warm fuzzies again! it's nice when a book is just as good as you remember!

Are you doing audio? Did you do audio the first time?

I completely agree with your mindset determining how you react to a book.

So I finished it last night. The reread was probably 4 stars or maybe 3.5. I did like how the dreamy quality of the book matched up with what Tillie was going through. And yeah, almost all my reading is on audio. Because I like being able to do something with my hands while I listen.

I did this one as an audiobook, and I think the narration was a bit too ... polished? for me. I am also too old and jaded to believe in insta-love these days - lol. I really like how she connects to her "inner voice / soul" via art - I find that things I keep pushing into dark crevasses in my brain/heart tend to pop out when doing something creative - writing, art, etc.

And the message of kindness is always a good one :)

I'm going to try reading this today when I'm not driving. Leaving for AZ which is a two day drive for us, but I'll get to see two of my grown grandkids and two of my greats! PLUS I'll be meeting Jenny who co-caps with Angie in person on Sunday. I'm SO excited! :)

YAY! Meeting more goodreads friends? I hope you have fun!!

Vicki wrote: "I'm going to try reading this today when I'm not driving. Leaving for AZ which is a two day drive for us, but I'll get to see two of my grown grandkids and two of my greats! PLUS I'll be meeting Je..."

So fun!! please say Hi for me :) I wish I could buy you ladies a round - lol.

LOL We met for breakfast at a place called BUTTERS. Jenny is absolutely charming! We had a great visit and conversation. I got to know her better and we exchanged a few hugs. Plus, as if she wasn't doing enough in life, she brought me THREE home-baked mini-loafs: raisin, cherry, and pineapple-rum.

I had listened to the audio through chapter 6 or so but I didn't get a lot out of it. lol Since I've been here in Scottsdale, I've spent a lot of time with my granddaughter and her family. Jeez, she had us over for dinner and every single food item she'd made from scratch: sour dough bread, carrot soup, pork loin with pears and plums, mashed potatoes, and for dessert a fig and candied ginger scone with whipped cream, also homemade. We've spent every day with them so far. Yesterday we took them to a 3D mini-gold course. Afterwards we went to an all-you-can-eat sushi place and boy did I get my fill! lol The kids even loved sushi, which kind of surprised me.

Tonight I am meeting up with my grandson Michael who is 27 years old and he's bringing his girlfriend of several years. The last time I saw Michael was 5 years ago in 2020 when my family met up in Oceanside, masks donned, and had our annual "cousin's camp" and some bonding time once again with about 25 of us.

I had started this book on our drive down, but haven't gotten back to it so hoping today is that day. :)

15 chapters / 40 %

(view spoiler)[I am listening to the audio. I like it so far but I don't love it. I enjoy the various aspects of art and the idea of how art affects each of us very differently. It's such a personal thing.

Sage, Clare, Tilly, all have such different stories. I am not connecting with Tillie and Liam's romantic involvement but we'll see. I like the idea of being a chocolatier, but how the chocolate is used I'm unsure of that. I do hope Sage and Clare mend their relationship. (hide spoiler)]

27 Chapters / Part I

(view spoiler)[Finding out your mother has lied to you your whole life wouldn't feel good at all. I'd be upset. Was she adopted or something? Does she really have a sister? Why all the lies? I have a feeling there's more to the story than we know.

Sage...what drugs can do to you! I'm glad that even though she got pregnant while using, she was happy about it and liked being pregnant. (hide spoiler)]

Finished

(view spoiler)[I wasn't shocked or really surprised it turned out they were twins. I like that but still being lied to your whole life wouldn't feel good at all. (hide spoiler)]