Litsy

Little Fires Everywhere (Signed) | Celeste Ng

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Little Fires Everywhere was doomed from the beginning. I just reread one of my all time favs #TheSparrow and this just didn‘t hold up for me. Fast start and finish, Boring middle. 😔 Just like NBA basketball games. 😊 I really think this was more me than the book. And it probably would have happened to any book. Does anyone else experience a guaranteed letdown after reading a mountaintop high?

shaynarae Yes! I always feel bad for the book I read after I finish an amazing one. They don‘t stand a chance. I read this book just after finishing All the Light We Cannot See, which was stunning. I felt the same way as you - this book really paled in comparison and left me feeling like “I guess it was fine?” I‘m going give Everything I Never Told You a go at some point so that Celeste Ng has another chance. 6y

SledgeReader @shaynarae Glad I‘m not alone on this! I too loved All the Light and I hope to give Everything I Never Told You a chance. Have you read

Everyone Brave is Forgiven

LikelyLibrarian @shaynarae @SledgeReader Everything I never told you was definitely better than this one. 6y

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shaynarae @SledgeReader I haven‘t read that one; I‘ll definitely check it out! @LikelyLibrarian Glad to hear it! 👍🏼 6y

Copwithabook Yes. I usually switch up genres after a mountain top read 6y

SledgeReader @Copwithabook That‘s a great idea! I‘ll give it a whirl. 🙃 6y

ErinGoBragh1011 I felt this way after reading All the Light We Cannot See. It was beautifully but after reading The Nightingale there was just no comparison. The Nightingale was so much better. 6y

jillrhudy Some books just don‘t work as a chaser. For my part, I liked this one. I‘d just come off of White Teeth which also has weird family dynamics. 6y

SledgeReader @jillrhudy A chaser! 🤣Love the term! Sadly I‘m now reading Imagine Me Gone and having a similar experience. 6y

jillrhudy I wish I‘d kept a record of the books I tossed aside—some of them probably wonderful—after Kingsolver knocked my socks off with

The Poisonwood Bible

SledgeReader @jillrhudy That‘s actually a very good idea! Thanks for sharing. 6y

DrSabrinaMoldenReads Wow! I kept thinking about the Poisonwood Bible too @jillrhudy 6y

DrSabrinaMoldenReads Glad to know it wasn‘t just me @SledgeReader 6y

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SledgeReader

The Sparrow: A Novel | Mary Doria Russell

#TheSparrow #buddyread This is our next to last round. It‘s time to discuss the AMAZING Mary Doria Russell! Watch for hashtags for the last round!

SledgeReader Let‘s talk about MDR‘s writing? Can you believe she primarily wrote scientific papers prior to The Sparrow?

If you had to put a genre on the book, what would it be?

How did the two time periods impact your reading experience?

Are you in for Children of God in August?

6y

SledgeReader @Soubhiville @jmtrivera Hi guys! Did you see this thread? What do you think? 6y

SledgeReader I can‘t wait to catch up with @Cinfhen in the morning! 6y

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jmtrivera It's crazy to think she wrote primarily papers before this. There's so much to this book. I thin the two time periods stressed me out because from the start you know bad things happened on this mission due to the frame, and it set me up to worry. But then, when the tensions were high, switching to another time period was super helpful on my stress levels! 6y

jmtrivera I'm interested in Children of God, but I'm not sure I can handle the stress again so soon! 😅 6y

Cinfhen I‘m blown away by MDR! Her imagination, world building, rich character development / its all brilliant! Definitely science fiction for me. I found the time periods at first confusing and a bit abrupt but it worked well for the plot development. I thought it was a slower build up and I may have put this book down initially if it wasn‘t a group read. So glad I didn‘t. Can‘t wait to read on!! 6y

Soubhiville MDR is an incredible writer! I keep meaning to pick up her other book(s?). I‘ve read Children of God, loved it too. 6y

Soubhiville I love books with different time periods or from several characters perspectives. It did build incredible tension in that you knew something horrendous happened, but didn‘t know exactly what it was until the very end. 6y

Soubhiville I would call this sci-fi as well, but I almost feel like it needs a subcategory. It‘s absolutely one of a kind! 6y

Soubhiville @SledgeReader thanks for tagging me! 6y

Cinfhen I can‘t believe I missed your bday, Sarah!!!!! 😖😩Hope it was wonderful 💗🎶🎂🍷 6y

SledgeReader @Soubhiville I‘m so glad you joined us and can‘t wait to connect again over Children of God! 6y

SledgeReader @Cinfhen Thanks for the good wishes. I got to see my peeps this weekend but wasn‘t on top of my game. Fighting some kind of bug which led to a migraine. 😔 Limited books and screens. And couldn‘t eat my cake. 😢 6y

SledgeReader Can‘t wait to hear about your meet up! 6y

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SledgeReader

The Sparrow: A Novel | Mary Doria Russell

Let‘s spend a bit of time talking about Rakhat and the mission in general. #TheSparrow #buddyread Please look for the hashtags so I don‘t have to tag everyone for the other rounds!

Flaneurette, Godmotherx5, ValerieAndBooks, Cinfhen, Soubhiville, Susannah, AmyG, CarolynM, minkyb, emilyhaldi, Ruri_kaichou, jmtrivera, MommyWantsToReadHerBook, 2BR02B, cornfedwellread, Andrew65, Bookishgal71, LazyDays, CaitlinR, BookNerd9906

SledgeReader From a historic perspective, what are your thoughts on the explorers to Rakhat compared to our early explorers?

Is the mission to Rakhat a scientific or religious one? What harm came from it?

Do you think we will ever connect with an alien species? Should we?

What do you think of the Runa and Jana‘ata now? Did you see that coming? What struck you the most about the species and the world building? 6y

Soubhiville It seemed to me that the explorers in the book were trying to be more thoughtful and respectful to the environment and existing cultures on Rakhat than Earth‘s early explorers ever were. It was incredibly unfortunate that they misunderstood things so badly. But I certainly felt the team had the best intentions, and never meant to conquer like early American settlers did. 6y

Soubhiville I saw the mission as both scientific and religious, with different members having different specific goals, although I think overall there was harmony between the two. Originally spurred by religion but balanced by scientists on the team. The harm came from misunderstanding and miscommunication. 6y

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Soubhiville I do think there is a chance that there is alien life out there. If there is contact I think they‘ll come here, but honestly I‘m not sure that humans can manage to fix the downward spiral of politics and environment before we self destruct. 6y

Soubhiville I absolutely loved the Runa. What a wonderful peaceful gentle species! The Jana‘ata were frightening. I felt a correlation to oppressive forces on earth. I was shocked by every twist and the ending! Wow, I‘m not sure I‘ve ever been as affected by the end of a book. All the feelings, but especially sorrow for Emilio and horror at the culmination. So incredibly well written! 6y

jmtrivera I think the mission was both. It might have been originally conceived by Emilio's faith and half staffed by priests, but those priests were also scholars looking to explore. I think the harm came from needing better communication and understanding of the world they'd entered. We said in our podcast that they really needed the Prime Directive from Star Trek! 6y

jmtrivera The reveal about the Runa and Jana'ata wasn't anything I could have predicted. Looking back, I'm still struck by it, and I finished the book a while ago! 6y

SledgeReader @Soubhiville @jmtrivera We are in agreement. I think the mission started out as both and finished as both. There was balance among the priests but the scientists especially leaned towards keeping the balance and objectivity of discovering the new world. I think they all found their God in their way at some point. Anne is a great example of this. 6y

SledgeReader Can you imagine the thrill of being the first to see a new species - especially the Runa? The Jana‘ata are another story. The crew was motivated in good faith when learning about the species on Rakhat but just didn‘t understand what they were witnessing. @jmtrivera please tell me more about your podcast! How do I find it? 6y

Ruri_kaichou So I can't answer completely at the moment, but I did want to say, Anne 5eva! And you can find the podcast at EclecticReaders.fireside.fm. I believe it's episode 47. 😊 6y

SledgeReader @Ruri_kaichou Thanks for sharing! I‘m in complete awe! 6y

jmtrivera @SledgeReader That scene where Anne and Emilio discuss God is one of my absolute faves. Our podcast is a book club podcast, in which we discuss a different book chosen by our members each month, along with some general discussion about currently reads and other bookish subjects. We read The Sparrow earlier this year, April maybe? (Address above) We hit on some of the same topics (because THIS BOOK), so you might find it interesting! 6y

Cinfhen I agree with you all again! @SledgeReader @Soubhiville @jmtrivera The mission was done with all the right intentions and with the upmost respect for the world they were entering. It was earth‘s “prejudices”that helped lead to the deadly mistakes. Assuming the men were the bigger Runa, not understanding their family structure, and certainly no one could have predicted the systematic system for controlling the population. 6y

Cinfhen I loved the Runa but it‘s interesting that the people on the mission grew tired of their simpleness. They wanted more complex people and WOW did they find them. 6y

jmtrivera @Cinfhen Exactly!!! That's so well said! 6y

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SledgeReader

The Sparrow: A Novel | Mary Doria Russell

Mission Complete! Wow! It is exciting to hear this conversation from such a tremendous and talented group of readers. Gentle reminder - this is a conversation about the text. Let‘s remember to respect one another‘s personal beliefs. Round 1 Discussion will center around Emilio. Questions are forthcoming in comments under a spoiler. Let‘s do it!🚀 #TheSparrow #buddyread

SledgeReader What was Emilio looking for? Did he find it?
Did God‘s will lead the mission?
How is Emilio‘s faith tested?
Why was it important for Emilio to stand by his vow of celibacy?
Why is Emilio reluctant to share his story? 6y

Soubhiville I think Emilio was looking for confirmation of god‘s existence. I think he was also excited to introduce his beliefs to another culture. For me, the plot reveals the opposite, probably because of my own belief... No god would allow the terrible things that happen every day. I think he was reluctant to share his story because of the pain of reliving it, as well as not wanting to strip others of their faith. 6y

jmtrivera I think Emilio wanted support for his faith, but I think he was looking for it in the wrong way. It left him losing his belief, and I think that's one of the reasons he didn't want to share his story. Not only was he horribly traumatized and didn't want to revisit that pain, but I think he wasn't ready to think about his faith and what losing it might mean. 6y

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SledgeReader @Soubhiville @jmtrivera So well said! I am always amazed at the layers upon layers in this book. It is such a beautiful rendering of faith and the confirmation of God‘s existence. I agree Emilio‘s reluctance to speak of his experience was in part self- preservation as well as preserving faith in those around him. 6y

jmtrivera @SledgeReader True! Lots of layers! 6y

Cinfhen I absolutely agree with all of you when it comes to Emilio‘s reluctance to share his story with the other men of faith @SledgeReader @jmtrivera @Soubhiville to reveal what he knew, saw, experienced in his mind would tarnish God. Prior to the landing, I think Emilio believed in God in the abstract but when he actually realized the planet was real I think God became real for him. He would never let go of his celibacy because for him it 👇🏼 (edited) 6y

Cinfhen Would be cheating on God. Or perhaps walking away from God, which is shocking seeing how God “abandoned” him time & time again on Rakhat. 6y

Cinfhen Which leads me to that BIG QUESTION: Did God abandon Emilio and the others on Rakhat??? Which leads me to the other BIG IDEA: free will. As a student who went through the Jewish Day School system from pre nursery through 12 grade I have grappled with this notion. If God is ever present and created man and is watching us and guiding us how the hell does he allow for all the shit that happens on both a large scale & small scale. 👇🏼 6y

Cinfhen Here I was taught~ man and free will! Man makes the choices not God. So on Rakhat man made the choice to plant a garden. A smart choice, an honest choice a “good” choice but the consequences were so disastrous. Do we blame God for the terrible outcome?? This philosophical approach drives me crazy everyday. I‘ve experienced pain and disappointment but I have not been in a situation where I personally felt God walked away from me. 👇🏼 (edited) 6y

Cinfhen I Will say, I have questioned God but I always return to God because I ultimately believe God IS there us. For me, it‘s NOT about the next world or the next life. I live strictly for this world, not about rewards and punishments in the after world ( not sure I buy into all that)and for me, God exists helps me to say/see I can‘t control everything, I‘m not ALWAYS steering the ship. My journey has been taken by me but influenced perhaps by God. 6y

Cinfhen I thank God that I haven‘t been put in a situation that would make me truly question God, like those on the mission. Or say The Holocaust or God forbid the loss of a child. It‘s those who are truly “tested” that I admire before all others. 6y

jmtrivera @Cinfhen I've often thought about this and it's always felt to me like a parental thing: a parent can watch their children, know every move they'll make before they do it, and still know that their children will screw up and make mistakes - even big, bad ones. At a certain point, parents just have to step back and let their kids do it, even if it breaks their hearts. 6y

jmtrivera @Cinfhen In the case of this particular story, I think it's hard for me to say Emilio was abandoned. It's really easy to think it's a tragic story when I first think back on it, except that many of the parts that stuck out to me were actually good things, and knowing there's a sequel allows me to hope that there's more to Emilio's journey than just suffering (I probably should have warned you all: I'm an eternal optimist). 6y

Cinfhen I totally get the parent reference @jmtrivera and I ❤️that you‘re an eternal optimist. I tend to go right for the doom & gloom😔 6y

jmtrivera @Cinfhen We can balance each other out. 😉 6y

Soubhiville Isn‘t it interesting how different people can take away different perspectives on a book? For me the entire book was a question of “is god there? Is faith entirely in our heads?” I felt like Emilio‘s experiences confirmed my own views- faith is a fantasy concocted by man to explain the unexplainable. It takes an extremely talented writer to create a story that perfectly satisfies two viewpoints in one ending! 6y

Soubhiville And @jmtrivera I‘m an optimist too 😊. I felt the same way, the whole experience of Emilio and his team was an incredible learning experience and adventure! Knowing the story continued made me feel good too (I received both books at once, I‘ve already read CoG). 6y

SledgeReader @Cinfhen @Soubhiville @jmtrivera I knew a great discussion was going to evolve! I‘ve read The Sparrow at least 4 times now and every time it takes me months to let go of it. Clearly I‘ve never completely done so. There is so much to think about and consider. It struck me for the first time - Is this book one giant metaphor for our personal journey of discovery and challenge within our own faith?? (edited) 6y

SledgeReader @Soubhiville You are so right. There are multiple ways to view the ending, and I think, the various stages throughout. And I love that each one is sufficiently substantiated for reasonable a conclusion. 6y

SledgeReader We are going to be talking for days!!👏👏 6y

Soubhiville @SledgeReader this has got me geared up for a reread! Lol. 6y

Cinfhen I love your conclusion @Soubhiville it‘s true, this book has a way of speaking to so many different ideas, beliefs ~ thank you, Sarah for bringing MDR into my life 💜 6y

MommyWantsToReadHerBook Sorry for being so late to the party! Close to the end of the book, Emilio says something about a dream or vision he had of God but I can't remember the exact words. The first time I read the book, it really sh9 6y

MommyWantsToReadHerBook Shook my faith, sorry, because it really did seem to me that God had abandoned Emilio and He wouldn't necessary be there when we really needed Him. Clearly, my image of God was still very much of God as Rescuer, God as Magician. Whatever that dream or whatever of Emilio precisely said, the first time I barely registered it. The second time, it meant everything to me. It said to me that Emilio had understood that God had been with him the whole 6y

MommyWantsToReadHerBook Time and would always be in everything WITH him. It was something to the effect of him being willing to follow wherever God led. A healt 6y

MommyWantsToReadHerBook A healthier God image, I believe, is exactly that, believing that God is always with us but not micromanaging us and miraculously intervening whenever we would find it convenient. I find what others took away from the book fascinating! 6y

emilyhaldi Very interesting point @Cinfhen regarding God vs free will. I suppose Emilio's journey to Rakhat proved to him God's existence but juxtaposed with the truth that horrible things still happen to good people. Interesting that some in the Jesuit church consider Emilio a Saint and perhaps that is why he is being tested the hardest of all 🖤 I loved this read and am so happy to have revisited it again after 18 years!! Thank you @SledgeReader !! 6y

SledgeReader @Soubhiville @Cinfhen @MommyWantsToReadHerBook @emilyhaldi This has been such a great read and experience shared with you all. I‘ve walked away from it with something new every time. And I will confess my first read was almost completely taken up with the world building. I don‘t “do” sci-fi. But this is one of my all time most influential reads because I learned I can read it. And the power of Emilio‘s journey keeps me coming back. 6y

SledgeReader I love introducing MDR to first time readers. It is such a great conversation starter. Now watch, you will reference the Sparrow for months in end! This has been so much fun! 6y

MommyWantsToReadHerBook Thanks for hosting @SledgeReader, it's been lovely! I also want everyone to read this! 6y

Cinfhen I‘m really looking forward to the next phase, Sarah!!! Thanks for being a fabulous host and providing great commentary and insight😇🙏🏻 6y

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emilyhaldi

The Sparrow: A Novel | Mary Doria Russell

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I read this in HS for a science fiction reading requirement and was shocked by how much I liked it. This time, I enjoyed it just as much and have so many more questions... like, where does Emilio go from here?! And how will he reconcile his spiritual beliefs with the events that took place on Rakhat?! 🤯 Hoping you fellow #TheSparrow readers can provide insight during Friday‘s discussion 🙏🏻 Thanks to @Cinfhen and @SledgeReader for hosting!

Mdargusch I‘m impressed you liked it enough to read it again! 👍🏼 6y

SledgeReader @emilyhaldi Excellent! Looking forward to Friday! 6y

Luv2readbookz There is a sequel to this book

Children Of God

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Trashcanman 👁️👁️ 6y

Cinfhen Can‘t wait to discuss @SledgeReader @emilyhaldi and we‘re gonna have to read the sequel to discover WHAT NEXT!?! 6y

Foragingfantasy I just started the sequel a few days ago!

Children Of God

Reviewsbylola Wait, you‘d already read this?! In HS?! 🤯🤯 6y

emilyhaldi I totally told you that 🙄 @Reviewsbylola 6y

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Cinfhen

4 3 2 1 | Paul Auster

A sweet & fun bday gift from my friend, Deborah! She knows my obsession with coffee nut M&Ms and she knows I fear #chunky books but she‘s convinced I‘m gonna LOVE the Paul Auster. I won‘t lie, it‘s giving me anxiety just looking at its size but I‘ll give it a try at some point 😜 #PageCountPhobiaIsReal

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks 💗💗 6y

emilyhaldi Lol, speaking of Jaimie- she suggested this for my family book club a few months ago and we were all like uhhhhhh 😳😳😳 so she read it by herself anyways and loved it 😉 I have high hopes for you! 👏🏻 6y

Cinfhen Jamie might be my #booktwin 😜that‘s good to know that she liked this one!!It‘s literally over 800 pages 6y

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Simona It‘s huge, but very readable .... when you figure out who is who. I was reading it taking notes about main events and characters ... just a tip 😘 6y

Cinfhen Oh man, that scares me @Simona 😳I will heed your advice 💕 6y

BarbaraBB I‘ve kept postponing reading this chunkster as well, even though I‘m a #BookerBabe 😂😘 6y

Cinfhen Maybe we can buddy read @BarbaraBB ?!? 6y

CoffeeNBooks I love coffee nut m&m's! Well, all m&m's actually! 😂 6y

SledgeReader I‘ve been eyeing this one too. Not sure I‘m ready for the commitment yet and I LOVE chunksters! When is your birthday @Cinfhen? 6y

Cinfhen I used to love chunksters but now they terrify me @SledgeReader and my bday is tomorrow (6/29) 6y

SledgeReader Happy Birthday @Cinfhen! You and my sister in law share birthdays! 🎂 Mine is 6/30, my son is 6/25. Ha! 6y

SledgeReader I think I‘m swinging in the same direction in chunksters. I don‘t want to waste time on a book a don‘t like. 6y

Cinfhen No wonder why we gravitated towards each other ~ we share the same sign! HAPPY BIRTHDAY 💜🦀🦄🍭🎂🎈 6y

SledgeReader @Cinfhen I do believe you are correct! Happy Birthday, Friend! 🦀 💕💜💕🎂💕💜💕🦀🌺🍾🎈🍫 6y

Cinfhen Thanks @SledgeReader looking forward to final discussion #TheSparrow 6y

Cinfhen And belated bday wishes to your son xx 6y

Reviewsbylola Can‘t believe I missed your birthday. 🤦🏼‍♀️🤦🏼‍♀️🤦🏼‍♀️ I hope it was AMAZING!! 6y

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SledgeReader

The Sparrow: A Novel | Mary Doria Russell

It‘s almost time for the final discussion of #TheSparrow #buddyread. Everyone is invited for this Tell-All Conversation of Mary Doria Russell‘s masterpiece of the mission to Rakhat!🚀

MommyWantsToReadHerBook Sorry I never commented on the previous section. Can't wait to see what everyone thinks of the ending! 6y

SledgeReader @MommyWantsToReadHerBook No worries! We look forward to hearing from you on Friday! 6y

AmyG I‘m sorry. I haven‘t finished yet. :( 6y

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Cinfhen I can‘t wait to discuss!!!! And your graphics are 🙌🏻🧡 6y

SledgeReader @AmyG Rats! We can still chat when you are done. Ping me when you finish. I can always talk about The Sparrow. 6y

SledgeReader @Cinfhen Thanks!! Did this one on my own. @Searcysledge is a great teacher! 😉 6y

AmyG You are too sweet. I will jump back on here when I finish. With the move coming...I have read nothing. 6y

emilyhaldi This should be an interesting discussion!! 👏🏻 6y

jmtrivera Looking forward to everyone's thoughts! 6y

Andrew65 Oh no! Got so far behind on this one! 😒 6y

Godmotherx5 Sounds good 6y

SledgeReader I can‘t WAIT! 6y

SledgeReader @Andrew65 Ping me when you finish! I‘m always happy to chat! 6y

Andrew65 @SledgeReader 😊👍 6y

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BookNerd9906

The Sparrow: A Novel | Mary Doria Russell

This is the first day in 18 days I haven‘t worked a double. Trying desperately to catch up on some reading and much needed snuggle time with Max before I go in again at 4:00. 🙄
#TheSparrow

Soubhiville Aw Max! It sounds like you need some sleep too! Enjoy your rest. 6y

BookNerd9906 @Soubhiville yes! Spent the better part of the day in bed. Napping, reading, and coffee. 😴📚☕️ 6y

AmyG Max is adorable. Naps, books, coffee....heaven. (edited) 6y

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Cinfhen Hi!!! I was wondering where my #booktwin went !?!? Glad all is well 💙 6y

SledgeReader @BookNerd9906 Just checking in to say hello. Hope you are feeling better and slowing down at a work a bit. Catch up with us for Children of God in August if you can. We missed you! (Confession - my schedule went nuts when it was time for the discussion. 🙃) 6y

BookNerd9906 @SledgeReader @Cinfhen I feel guilty about being a bookclub drop out, but life took a left hand turn toward crazy town. Someone quit at one job, and it was bike week (I don‘t know if ya‘ll know about this phenomenon, but it‘s some serious business here in NH) and I‘ve been working 80-90 hours a week for the last month between both jobs. Hoping things settle down so I have time to breathe again, let alone read! 6y

Cinfhen Not familiar with Bike Week but 80/90 hours sounds insane!!! Hope life quiets down soon xx miss you!! 6y

SledgeReader @BookNerd9906 Yikes! I feel your pain. I‘m coming off 6 months of doing just that in my job. We just completed a big construction project that led to weeks on end of 14-16 hour days. Need to catch up with @Cinfhen on the subject. Great experience. Ready to chill a bit. Going to look up bike week. Hang in there, Friend! You will conquer this!😝💜 6y

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Cinfhen

The Sparrow: A Novel | Mary Doria Russell

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Thank you @SledgeReader for introducing me to this brilliant story. It‘s a lot to process and I‘m so grateful to have read it along side #TheSparrow #buddyread(ers). Anne may be one of my favorite new characters and Mary Russell is just an amazing world builder. As a person with strong personal religious beliefs this book spoke to me on many levels. Looking forward to the final discussion next week and the #ChildrenofGod sequel.

Godmotherx5, AmyG, emilyhaldi, Andrew65

Crazeedi I've read a couple of hers, but not this one, have to get! 6y

CatLass007 A friend of mine recently recommended this to me. I used an Audible credit to add it to my library. Looking forward to reading it! 6y

Soubhiville I‘m so glad you liked it! It‘s an amazing book! 6y

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SledgeReader @Cinfhen It is such a pleasure to share MDR and her brilliant world of Father Sandoz and his experience in Rakhat with such an amazing reader. I cannot wait to hear your insights into this story next weekend. Thank you for going on this journey with me. Looking forward to #ChildrenofGod #buddyread in August! 6y

Cinfhen I‘ll be curious to hear how this book translates on audio @CatLass007 I NEVER would have picked it up without the encouragement from the Litsy community @SledgeReader @Soubhiville @Crazeedi 6y

Andrew65 I‘m a bit behind and need to catch up! 6y

emilyhaldi I just finished 🙏🏻 now I need to try and process a bit before the final discussion... 6y

Cinfhen It was a reread for you @emilyhaldi so did your perspective change now that you‘re out of HS and have more life experience!?? 6y

emilyhaldi @Cinfhen I think that in HS the only thing that stood out to me was the shock that I actually enjoyed something labeled “sci-fi” 😂 I don‘t really remember much more than that... 6y

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SledgeReader

The Sparrow: A Novel | Mary Doria Russell

Hello Space Travelers! It‘s time to debrief our mission 🚀 before the final countdown to the end of #TheSparrow. This is our Week 3 discussion with questions in the comments. Everyone is welcome to join in the conversation. @Cinfhen has got lots going on with hosting duties at #StepfordSummerParty 🤣 and with us on Rakhat! I am so excited to hear your thoughts. At this point, use the questions as suggestions. There is too much to discuss! 👽👽👽

Flaneurette, Godmotherx5, ValerieAndBooks, Soubhiville, Susannah, AmyG, CarolynM, minkyb, emilyhaldi, Ruri_kaichou, jmtrivera, MommyWantsToReadHerBook, cornfedwellread, Andrew65, Bookishgal71, LazyDays, CaitlinR, BookNerd9906

SledgeReader Do you believe Emilio has found what he was searching for on Rakhat? Or was he even looking?

How would you characterize the Runa and the Jana‘ata both culturally and socially?

Do you think the crew is holding up to their situation especially after Sofia‘s flight?

What do you predict is going to be the climax of this adventure? 6y

Godmotherx5 I had a couple of hours to myself yesterday. I put a dent in the book & was amazed at how much I‘d forgotten in just six years. Still a great read. 6y

SledgeReader @Godmotherx5 Me too! It‘s such a complex story. I learn something new every time! I can‘t wait to read Children of God again. 🚀 6y

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Godmotherx5 @SledgeReader How many times have you read them? 6y

SledgeReader @Godmotherx5 This is at least 4 times for The Sparrow but only once for Children of God - and it‘s been a while. 6y

emilyhaldi I do think that Emilio has found what he was looking for... until tragedy ensues (full details not yet disclosed) and now he must feel duped by God. Like the whole journey was some kind of sick joke and all of the faith he found was crushed. Poor guy 😪 6y

AmyG I am not reading any comments because I didn‘t read his week‘s section. Moving, sorry. 6y

Cinfhen @emilyhaldi @Godmotherx5 I‘m not sure that Emilio went initially searching for God but he definitely believed he encountered God, unfortunately God let him down at some point in the story. I loved how the group rallied around each other and no one assigned blame yet each individually took some upon themselves. I think I see where this is headed...prediction: Jana‘ata are the bad guys they are gonna dupe Emilio into a false security 👇🏼 6y

Cinfhen Which will eventually lead to the destruction of the peaceful Runa and the deaths of his friends. I‘m fascinated by the mind of MaryD!!! Her world building blows me away 🤯 6y

SledgeReader @emilyhaldi @Godmotherx5 @Cinfhen Emilio‘s current situation back on Earth is heartbreaking. The violence of his physical illness and recovery is haunting. I agree the group rallied incredibly - no finger pointing! I am so glad to hear enthusiasm for MaryD! The complexity she weaves into her storytelling is ... stellar! (Pun intended.) What I don‘t get is that we don‘t hear more about her in the literary world.👇 6y

SledgeReader Sorry! Wiener dog attacked X 4. I‘ll be back after the puppy love! 💕 🐶 🐶🐶🐶 6y

SledgeReader Back from commercial break - Hence my joy to hear Sabaa Tahir sending MDR some literary love on the podcast @Godmotherx5 shared with us! 😍 I agree with @Cinfhen. The world building is amazing! (edited) 6y

SledgeReader @emilyhaldi @Godmotherx5 @Cinfhen Am I the only one that loves the joy Emilio finds in his paternal relationship with Askama? 6y

Cinfhen Absolutely for Emilio his “family” was comprised of those on Rakhat ~ DW (dad) Anne(Mom) Askama (child) knowing none survive is heartbreaking 6y

Godmotherx5 @Cinfhen @emilyhaldi I agree with @SledgeReader because there is definitely not enough published about Mary Doria Russell. She‘s a hoot to follow on Facebook. 6y

jmtrivera Having finished the book, I find it hard to answer these questions without spoiling things for everyone else, but I think Emilio's journey is really strongly connected with his faith, which has both good sides and bad sides to it. @Godmotherx5 You just made me curious to look her up on Facebook! 6y

cornfedwellread I have gotten so far behind. :( Since my show opened over the weekend and I don't have rehearsal until Thursday, I'm hoping to get caught up this week so that I can at least take part in the final discussion! 6y

SledgeReader @therealdealbeall Hi! Wonderful news in the show. I‘m crossing my fingers you get it read in time to join us. Remember we are reading Children of God (the sequel) in August! 6y

cornfedwellread @SledgeReader since I won't be working on another show until mid September, I should have more time to be able to take part in the August read! 6y

SledgeReader @therealdealbeall Great!! What‘s your show? 6y

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