BTS Book Club discussion

I met Ms. Brooks briefly via twitter and started to look into her work. Her twitter avatar and pictures on her site intrigued me so much I got curious to see what she was writing. I was captivated by the premise of this story. A ghost, haunting a cemetery as an event unfolds with some folks crashing the cemetery and now she is cast into revisiting past lives dressing in the bodies of her former physical forms- i.e. "Bone Dressing." Since reading the synopsis, I've been interested in reading the book (which is first in a series of seven planned.)

Is this a ya book?

Yes. The main character Syd is just shy of 18.

I won this book but have not had time to read it. i love her blog site. Tried to start the book 2 days ago, but internet went out and just now came back up. Still waiting on repair guy!

I started reading Bone Dressing this morning. If anyone else has started reading it or will start reading it soon, reply here! I'd love to know what you think of this story as you read it. I'll post my thoughts and comments as well.

Thanks!
Nick

I'm on chapter 3. Syd the main character has been introduced. She's a pretty troubled teen as described so far. Orphaned, living with foster parents and highly rebellious. The story is still building now and I'm just waiting for her to get to the graveyard! The style of read is casual and easy to move through! I'm hoping to have time to read another 3 - 4 chapters today- I am having an enjoyable read with this one so far!!

I am starting to read Bone Dressing again. I received the book as a gift from the author and really owe her a review. It sounds so good.

I'm up to chapter 7. Syd's made it to the graveyard and met Sarah, T.J. (a panther) and Beau (or Rémy his real name) They are trying to tell her what's going on, when she's met them, but she's not ready to deal with it. Actually Syd's not ready to deal with anything! She's such a troubled teen! I'm having a hard time liking her! But I also feel for her and think eventually she'll grown on me! I'm about 25% of the way in the book and am looking to read another 2 - 3 chapters tonight!

Has anyone else picked actually started to read? Before I started this I had a chat brief exchange with Michelle Brooks over twitter and told her I would do a review for her at the end (something I am not all that particularly good at, but have been getting much better) and I would really like to know what the BTSers that are reading this one think!

I'll post another update probably Tuesday.

Yours truly,
Nick

Hi Nick. i just finished the part where they explain to her that something will be coming for her. Sydney is a firecracker. I want to smack her and laugh at her at the same time. She has made a mess of her life and things are really going to get sticky now. It started a little slow, but I am now engaging with the characters and anticipating each paragraph. It is getting good!

Hi Guys! Sorry I had a seriously hellish week at work and honestly not much time for reading! But..tomorrow is Friday and I am already feeling the pressure of this week ease..so I'm back to moving forward with this book!

@Laura - Yes yes! Syd is a firecracker!!! I agree it started a bit slow, but I think it was building up for something really good! I am on Chapter 10 now (pg 147 of 347, about 40% through) and am really getting into it! I'm waiting for the past lives part to start to make some sense.

I'd love to hear other updates on this read!!

Had to do a few author requests for read and reviews. Took a lot of my time. Love doing it. Will get back to this book Friday. I'll probably reread last chapter to refresh. Can't wait to dig back in. Will be checking in:)

I just read Syd's first bone dressing..WOW! Not what I expected & I very pleasantly surprised! This past life is a really sweet love story filled with passion, love, lust and devotion...and shape-shifting! I am so looking forward the rest of this novel!

I finished this morning! Wow! It really picked up toward in the latter half of the book!!! I end up feeling pain for Syd as opposed to wanting to slap her silly!

I like the way the story was ended, yet leads into the next in the book in the series. I am going to add the next one in my to-read pile! I am going to rate it 4 of 5 stars and will write a review for Ms. Brooks in the coming days! If anyone else has finished and would like to share their views of this book, please do so by posting here!

I have been sidetracked by the books I am trying to read and review. I hope to get back to this soon. Will probably start at the beginning again.

Laura - it's got a really good 2nd half. I don't want to let out anymore spoilers..I think you'll like it though!

I put this in my TR :) You make it sound really good!

@Christy - I am really in touch with the "past life" thing.. so this one was a natural selection for me to read and enjoy. I tweeted as recently as today with author Michelle I Brooks - She's wrapping up the 2nd book this weekend, so I'll be looking forward to the next installment in this series. I didn't think I would be into YA fiction, but I'm loving it! I think as a reader being able to connect with authors via twitter, blogs, gooodreads, etc just adds to the experience- getting to let them know your specific feelings about an entire work or a particular scene. I can only hope when I finally self-publish my own I work I'll get that chance to connect with a reader.

Nick

I didn't think I would like YA either! I thought they would be sappy or lame. I was wrong. I've read a couple now but have to say that Hunger Games, that's my all time favorite. I'm not gonna overlook a book anymore just because it's a YA or out of my comfort zone

I completely agree with you! :-)

I agree also. I never used to read YA. I missed out on a lot of good books and have some catching up to do. i am also doing reviews for some childrens books and having fun. Another thing I like about the YA is that so many are a series. I really like to read a series.

Laura - the series sort of makes it like a soap-opera kind of thing. I especially love it of sci-fi works.

The negative part of a series though, especially if it's good, is that when its over you get a sense of loss! Really good authors who can draw such emotion out of you to make you feel like a friendship is ending when a series is ending is for me a sign of a fantastic series (and one I hope to achieve myself one day!)

I think this is in contrast to a "saga" where its just one long book of 1000s of pages. I always found it hard to finish works that were all published in one big book. But with a series, its sort of like a TV series with ability to catchup when you want. Or to take a break, and come back later (weeks or months) and pick up where you left off. Or even the suspense, anticipation, etc. of waiting for the next installment.

I know what you mean. You can pick up on a series where you left off and feel like you are with old friends again. I am reading a book now that I feel should be three books. It is very good but hard to get through because it seems like I am barely turning the pages.

I'm going to write my review this weekend. If anyone has any further thoughts about the book, now would be a good time to post them! :-)

Thanks! It was a fun read. I'll be looking out for the next in this series.