Tell Me Something Tuesday - Book Clubs / Read-Alongs

Tell Me Something Tuesday is a fun weekly meme hosted by Cambria @ CambriaHebert.com.

Each week there will be a new question to answer and share.  This is a great way for bloggers to get to know one another.

Have you ever participated in a Book club, buddy read or Read along?

Actually, I am taking part in a book club at school right now.  We are doing a school wide One School One Book book club with the book Old Yeller by Fred Gipson.  Every family in our school was provided with a copy of the book and will be reading it through the month of March.  We had our kick-off on Monday and sent our books home.  The families will read 4 chapters a week, with a trivia question asked daily at school.  There are other activities suggested and offered along the way.  This is going to be great fun!  

I am also taking part in two online read-alongs.  The first one is the Kiss Me I'm Irish read-along of the book Hounded by Kevin Hearne.  This read-along is hosted by Geeky Bloggers Book Blog, On a Book Bender, Smash Attack Reads, In the Closet With a Bibliophile, and The Unread Reader.  Check out these various blogs for more information.  This book involves Irish mythology and is a fun read.

The next read-along I am currently taking part in is The Yellow House by Patricia Falvey.  This is another Irish novel.  (Go figure, it's March - great time for those Irish reads!)  This one is more of a historical novel though.  The Yellow House read-along is hosted by Books & Movies.  You can find out more information by clicking here.

I must say that I am thoroughly enjoying reading with others.  I definitely love to read, but when you can share your thoughts with others who have experienced or are experiencing the same book, it is even better!  The community that is built along the way is wonderful!

So, have you ever participated in a book club, buddy read, or read-along?  Share your thoughts below.

  

Kiss Me, I’m Irish Read-Along: Chapters 6 – 10

Kiss Me, I'm Irish Hounded Read-a-Long: Chapter 6 to 10 

***Possible spoiler alert.  Because we are discussing events throughout the chapters of this book, it is highly probable that spoilers will occur!

1. In Chapter 6, Atticus goes hunting with Oberon and Flidais. What was supposed to be a fun hunting trip turned rather disastrous. Were you expecting something like this to happen or did it catch you by surprise? Have you ever had something that should have been fun turn disastrous or nearly disastrous?


I was totally not expecting anything like this to happen.  I might have expected something to go wrong, but I highly expected Flidais to fix it so that no one would be able to tell that anyone or anything had been killed.  I was a little disappointed that she just simply had the ground swallow up the body, but that it did not disguise the spot it had been.  I was also very hurt that Oberon was involved.  He seems like a very sweet, good-at-heart character, and he was devastated - as was I - that he killed someone.


I have had fun times turn into a mess. Most of those times happened when I was in high school or college!  - Go figure!!!


2. We are only briefly introduced to the witches (or, a witch) in chapter 7. What are your first impressions? How much would you trust the witches? Why?


The initial description has me thinking they are not big deal - just a young witch disguised as a college student.  Then as the event goes on, I get a little worried for Atticus.  I love that the things that worry Atticus - possibly giving up blood to the witch actually backfired on the witch herself.  What quick thinking!!! The second witch that makes the phone call seems more reasonable than the first.  Since Atticus has a relationship with the coven leader, I hope that they do help him later when he needs it.  Not sure how much I would trust them though.  I think they will look for any possible way to find a loophole or way to get out of the contract with Atticus.


3. Oberon says, “With dogs you just go up and smell their asses and you know where you stand. It’s so much easier. Why can’t humans do that?” Do you ever wish there was an easier way to find out where you stand with someone (besides Oberon’s suggestion, of course)? In what cases would it be easier or better to hide your true feelings?


It would be nice to be able to know where you stand with people.  Having to tiptoe around some people because you don't know what kind of mood they are in or where they are coming from makes some situations very difficult.  There are times when you have to put on a show for someone to make them feel better, or for another's benefit.  There are times when you need to be strong when you are just completely upset or angry.  I think there needs to be a balance.  I don't think that either extreme is a good situation all the time.


4. Chapter 9 makes Atticus’ life much more difficult: the witches are in some way working with Aeghus Og, Bres comes after Atticus, and more trouble appears at the end of the chapter. Have you made sense of what has happened thus far? Any predictions for what might happen?


Seems like Atticus is constantly having to face more enemies all the time - some of which he is familiar with.  I think that Aenghus Og will keep sending out his "puppets" until he has no other choice but to arrive himself.  I think when he does come it will be at an unexpected time.  I just hope that Atticus stays strong and that his allies will support him.


5. Atticus has had plenty of time to cultivate attitudes and ethics that would allow him to live a very long time. What do you think it is about Atticus that has allowed him to live for as long as he has?


I think that Atticus is a very smart being - able to learn a lot by mere observation.  He has learned from mistakes he has made in the past.  Adapting to situations has become a way of life for him.  He learns the weaknesses of his enemies and has found ways to overcome them - adding to his charms.  His strength is not being overconfident and learning from everything around him.

Now we need to head over to On a Book Bender to link up our answers!

Kiss Me, I'm Irish read-along: Hounded Chapters 1-5

Welcome to the first week of the Kiss Me, I’m Irish read-along! I really enjoyed the first five chapters of Hounded, I hope you did as well.  I am a few days late getting my post made, as I found the read-along late, but did not want to be left out.  This is a series / book that I was not familiar with prior to finding this read-along and I am finding that I am truly having fun with it.


Click on the image above if you want to learn more about the read-along and get the schedule.  Make sure you stop by Felicia’s blog and link up your answers if you are taking part.  


Here are my questions & answers:


1.  Kevin Hearne had the most perfect beginning for this book:  "There are many perks to living for twenty-one centuries, and formost among them is bearing witness to the rare birth of genius."  If you were to live for centuries what do you think you would be excited to see? 

I would love to see the many generations of my own family.  I am lucky to be a gramma right now.  I would love to see my grandchildren grow and each generation beyond that.  


2.  In the 2nd chapter we learn about the amulet and its protection powers!  Do you think having met the Morrigan and heard about Aenghus Og that it will be enough to protect Atticus?  I mean the Morrigan has a point about hot chicks coming after him and his defenses might be down! He is very male!  


A male, and a cocky one at that!  I think he will certainly fight the urge when it arises, but I am not sure that it will completely protect him or if all the magic will drain, and he will lose all defences.


3.  The literary world's coolest dog is introduced in this chapter!  Did you love Oberon immediately?  Show me a picture or describe the type of animal you would love to have as a talking companion! (Cat, Dog, Mouse, Sloth, Horse---what is your pick--pictures please)?  


I do love Oberon!  He sounds fabulous.  I have always wanted a sphinx (naked cat).  I think they look even more strong-willed than the typical cat – almost vicious!

4.  In this chapter Flidais asked Atticus what his name is and then precedes to ask if anyone actually believes he is Greek?  He says nobody pays attention to names here.  Do you know what your name means and where it comes from?  Or do you have a name you wish had?  Let's talk names!  


Sara is a variant of Sarah – origin is Hebrew, meaning Princess.  It is very popular in Spain and Denmark.  I did not like my name as a kid growing up, but never had a name that I particularly wanted.  As an adult, I have settled with my name.


5.  We learn about Atticus' lawyers in this chapter, a rather unique combo!  Without jumping ahead, would you hire a lawyer combination of two supernaturals who on the surface would appear to be natural enemies or at the very least two very Alpha attitudes? What would be the positives and negatives of that decision.  


Knowing that Atticus is a supernatural, he would need a supernatural to defend him - someone that understood his world.  They say opposites attract.  I think having two natural enemies as a team could be great.  What one would not think of, the other is sure to think of.  They would create a sort of balance.