Tammy > Recent Status Updates

My heart is so heavy. I had no idea what was about to happen. I feel like I was duped by Leif Enger and had me thinking that something else was supposed to happen. His grief is described so realistically that I felt every moment. This is going to be a very rough journey.

Up until this chapter, I was completely in love with the story. I love the allusions to classics (mentioning Billy Pilgrim and Odysseus) as well as the set up of what may happen. However, I will not spoil it. I DID NOT see this coming.

I'm sad with this book. It is too close to what I feel is happening in America with the immigrants right now. I know it's not the same, but it is close. The mistreatment and the necessity of fighting back... I wish I was as brave as Bina. How she came to be a movie star is beyond me so far, but I'm excited to find out.

I love every one of these characters, and I am so frustrated that I cannot figure out the ties between them yet! I know that they are somehow because of some of the very clever foreshadowing lines that the author has written. I just found out there is going to be a movie about this book and it makes me so excited! I can't wait!

I had no idea what this was about and when I discovered one of the characters is an octopus I am excited about it! Tova, the other main character, is also interesting and is in a club that has the same name that one of my clubs used to have! I feel for her and the loss of her son. I'm not sure where the story is going to take me but I'm intrigued!

I love Backman’s writing and this does not disappoint. It is so poetic. Every line makes me pause and take it in. I never usually read what books are about when they are by my favorite authors; I let the writing take me there. The storyline here is bleak and the characters’ lives and situations are so realistic yet heartbreaking. I can’t wait to see where it’s going.

Not sure where this is going yet. Had a PTSD moment, a memory, meeting characters but no connection yet.

It’s easy to see why this is a top contender for Book of the Year 2024. The writing is completely immersive—it pulls you in and doesn’t let go. I especially loved experiencing the story through multiple perspectives, which is something I always appreciate in a good mystery. I found myself resenting every chore that made me put it down. An absolutely gripping read!

Great mystery! Every single character has a secret, the foreshadowing is making me turn the pages faster, and I love that the past is a character itself.

This is a page turner. I know now that everyone is connected somehow, and I I have a theory but I don’t want to ruin it for you. If not finished tonight I’ll finish it tomorrow!

Lovin the writing style. Easy flow and typical story although felt like Walking Dead, etc she’s

Trekking along….

I’m still reading but I have to say that this novel is amazing. The fact it’s built n historical documents and that her husband is so supportive. Wow.

This book is full of ups and downs and the author is pulling me right along with the house. I love the characterization and I really got into Fliss's story and I feel everything she did.

Nothing has hit me as hard as Nora and Xavier, but I know he'll be back. I'm interested in the other ladies, but Nora's storyline really pulled me in. Now I just keep looking for that. I love Reka and Fliss, and Fliss's story is breaking my heart. She's so tired because she is taking care of that baby ALONE. Makes me sad. I hope Dan comes home.

I do not know how Kate Quinn can write a "bad" man so well that I have fallen in love with him. I am more like Nora and WOULD NEVER, but oh my goodness. He reminds me of Rhett Butler. He loves Nora like Rhett loved Scarlett. I am going to have to read more of Kate Quinn's books.

I’m in love. With this house. With the characters. With the storyline. I never want to finish this book. I don’t want to stop reading. But, alas, dinner won’t cook itself.

My students are so excited to find out where the community came from. This is exciting for me to see what they are thinking since it's the first time I have taught this book. What a different experience!

Jonas has received his assignment and is quite nervous about it. I really like him. I hope it continues to be okay...

Sometimes hard to read in class with so many distractions and interruptions! So far I like the writing style, and I'm intrigued about the murder... how could the landlady not know who the tenant was that died? She seems like a little bitty that I will not like at all.

This book is just a retelling of Huckleberry Finn. I'm not loving it. Maybe because I taught it for so many years I know it by heart. Nothing is really surprising except for maybe Jim's knowledge. I'm going to finish it, but I'm really bored.

Suddenly there are "Little Fires Everywhere" and the storyline is moving quickly. I'm involved in these little fires and am so curious about where they will go. However, I still have NO IDEA who started the fire at the beginning of the book. I have an inkling, but I cannot figure out a good motive. Finally, I don't want to put the book down.

So far, this book is up and down for me. I really like the characters and the book started so exciting. However, there is about 30 pages that just describe what the kids are doing... It got a little boring. But now, excitement again. I didn't want to put it down. I hope I can get some students hooked on this book. It seems like something they would like if they can get through that exposition.

My heart is breaking on so many levels and so many times. I’m so glad I did not live during this time. I do not know what I would do. I really think Hannah did an excellent job of characterizing Frankie as not only a woman in the military but what it was like coming home.

The realities of war, fear, chaos, sadness, and heartache are all evident in this novel. It raises questions for me such as why we were there (was it because we were trying to get rid of Communism only?) and how I would react if I were in this situation. Would I be upset being the one at home that may be cheated on or understand? Would I be the other woman because I may not make it out of 'nam? This. Is. Crazy.

My heart is breaking, even though I knew it was coming... I love how honorable Frankie is. Usually in novels, they follow their heart and not their morals. This is refreshing to me.

I now know why anyone who was in Vietnam doesn't talk about Vietnam. It is so sad, lonely, disgusting... I didn't live during this time but I know that there are many things that I don't understand like why we were so upset about this war in particular and why so many bad protests were going on at home. Maybe I should learn about it.

The novel teaches much about war, especially for the women who served in Vietnam. I have always imagined what it is like but didn't even imagine all the horrors. Movies have not put me into the mindset of women, or soldiers when it comes to everything about war. We can see it, we know and understand the gore, but it doesn't do it justice. Kristin Hannah is putting me there.

Wow. No mincing words in this book. The brutal realities of war are in your face. I also appreciate the fact that Hannah is chronicling Frankie’s journey from paper to Saigon. I bet no one thinks of these things when they sign up for war. So scary and sad.