Today's the day for some beginning book talk! How are you doing with the book? Have you started it yet? Finished it? Finding it slower or easy to get through? Do you have any reactions you'd like to share?
Here are a few questions to ponder today and for the next while -- whether you have begun reading, or you've only read blurbs & author interviews so far and still have something to say, join in! Although there might be a few spoilers in the questions and discussion below so if you haven't got too far yet you might want to come back to this post.
You can reply to these questions, or add your own impressions. If you want to hear other takes on a part of the book that you are curious about, leave your own questions in the comments, too. Here is my own review of this book from the first time I read it.
We'll be having another book discussion on the last post of this round if you would like to add more thorough comments there, after we've all finished it.
2. Are you at all familiar with the setting of this book? If so, does this add anything to the read for you?
3. Is there a particular character that you've enjoyed so far? Any particular themes that stand out for you?
4. Do you find the reasons behind the characters' "snap" moments believable? Relatable?
5. What do you think of the structure, having the storyline shift between the three main characters? Does it work for you?
6. Is there anything specific in the book that has sparked an idea for a project yet? Are you mulling over any ideas?
I've finished the book and loved it. Now on to choosing my project.
ReplyDelete1. If you decided to pick up this book and read it for this round, why? Was it the description or just the challenge that caught you first?
This is my favorite sewing challenge! I always look forward to the literary sewing circle, so as long as I have the time, I join in on the read. I never know what to expect from the book, but I know that it will be an interesting and engaging read and that it will have lots of sewing tie-ins. After reading her book, I started watching Family Law and have been enjoying Nielsen’s writing there as well.
2. Are you at all familiar with the setting of this book? If so, does this add anything to the read for you?
I am familiar with Vancouver - my husband and I took a vacation there in 2022- and that familiarity helped me engage more deeply with the book because I could visualize the setting more easily. It also brought back happy memories of exploring the lovely city with the wooded parks and the beaches, I hope to go back one day. It also brings back memories of the fabric store Dressew- a fantastic fabric shop I would love to have regular access to. I’m regretting using my Dressew fabric for a previous literary sewing circle that took place on Canada’s east coast, this book would have been perfect for my Dressew fabric. I could decide to upcycle the dress into something new (Parker inspiration!).
3. Is there a particular character that you've enjoyed so far? Any particular themes that stand out for you?
All the characters are lovely. I love the human-ness and messiness of the lives the characters live.
4. Do you find the reasons behind the characters' "snap" moments believable? Relatable?
As someone who works with middle schoolers, I find Frances’ snap hilarious and particularly relatable. Geraint’s snap seems the most far-fetched based on his character development as a mild and loveable dad. Parker’s snap is perhaps the hardest to read about because of the very realistic nature of sexual trauma.
5. What do you think of the structure, having the storyline shift between the three main characters? Does it work for you?
I enjoyed the way the book was written, moving between the characters, it builds suspense and makes me want to keep reading because I needed to find out what happened with the characters.
6. Is there anything specific in the book that has sparked an idea for a project yet? Are you mulling over any ideas?
Yes- so many ideas from the book. Right now I’m thinking about the blue blouse that Frances wore- I'm in need of light weight blouses for work, and I have a couple of lovely blue rayons in the stash and have been wanting to try out the Patina blouse. Or there’s Parker’s love of upcycling and thrifting. I have an oversized pink linen blouse from a thrift store that I’m considering trying to overdye or maybe even trying to remove the dye and then overdye/refashion the blouse. Parker’s patchwork tent dress also caught my attention and Geraint's love of track suits- SBCC just put out two patterns that would make a lovely track suit set.
I agree with several of your points, Sarah! I also look forward to the sewing circle - a different approach to sewing!
DeleteI found the references to Vancouver landmarks was perfect - not at all contrived.
I also teach middle school, and thought about Frances' snap moment .... it could be any one of us. Middle schooler can really push your buttons! And the general population doesn't always get it. Good point about Geraint's out of character snap moment - it was too well planned....
I ammaking a bucket hat out of old denim (to wear in public with disgraced friends.... if I had any!); and also upcycling two shirts into one new style. I appreciate Parker's love of upcycling!
Interesting comment about Frances' snap moment from someone who knows! I certainly wouldn't make it as a middle school teacher for more than a day ;)
DeleteLove your fun idea for a project. It's always fun to see what sparks ideas for readers during the LSC!
Sarah, thank you for your considered comments on the book! I really enjoyed your answers. I agree that it's the messiness of the characters that can really keep you reading this book. But I hadn't considered what you mentioned about Geraint -- it's kind of true that I can't see him planning such an elaborate revenge moment!
ReplyDeleteI am also intrigued by your many ideas for a project so far. I think this book just lends itself to ideas! I like the patchwork mentions a lot as well, but there are a lot of things that Frances wears or inspires that would work for my wardrobe so I haven't quite decided on mine yet!
1. If you decided to pick up this book and read it for this round, why? Was it the description or just the challenge that caught you first?
ReplyDeleteI like the Literary Sewing Circle, although I haven't been very successful. The description of the book hooked me. I love a book where the description says it will have you laughing out loud.
2. Are you at all familiar with the setting of this book? If so, does this add anything to the read for you?
I have not been to Vancouver, so it didn't really add anything.
3. Is there a particular character that you've enjoyed so far? Any particular themes that stand out for you?
I also enjoyed the characters. They each were so unique. I don't think I had a particular favorite. I listened to the audiobook, and the reader did a great job. She gave Geraint a lovely accent, although the little boy speak for Keanu was a bit annoying.
4. Do you find the reasons behind the characters' "snap" moments believable? Relatable?
Having substitute taught in middle school for 18 years, I can see going off on a kid, but not physically. I've gotten pretty hot with a few kids.
I agree with Sarah about Geraint. I can't see him going that crazy on the guy's car.
Parker is the most believable as she suffered severe personal trauma. She was triggered.
5. What do you think of the structure, having the storyline shift between the three main characters? Does it work for you?
I have read quite a few novels where the chapters are told from the viewpoint of the various characters. I've also read one book where the story is told by both characters involved, so you see where people remember things differently. I quite like this format.
6. Is there anything specific in the book that has sparked an idea for a project yet? Are you mulling over any ideas?
Parker's former boss Margo is wearing a pair of denim overalls. I love overalls and haven't had a denim pair in many years. I've had the fabric and pattern to make a pair for several years now, so this is just the push I needed.
I haven't listened to the audio version, it's good to hear your thoughts on it! And another teacher weighing in, convincing me yet again that I made the right decision not to go into education all those years ago ;)
DeleteYour project idea sounds fun, can't wait to see them.
I chose to read this book because it was the book for LSC, I was able to acquire it easily through the Kobo store and I thought the author sounded interesting and possibly fun. And I was not disappointed! It was a quick read which had me chuckling on several occasions with concepts that could be very real.
ReplyDeleteI was not at all familiar personally with the setting as I have never been to this side of the globe, so didn't really consider this an important aspect of the story. Apart from the western culture and dress.
Frances is definitely my stand out character! Her clothing choices were not really something I was inspired by for my make (to be), and at times they made me cringe – eg flannel pajamas her kids had given her at a least a decade ago ….a rather large tear in the crotch'. I understand sentiment with gifts from children, but ..
There were various contemporary themes which enriched her character - stresses with her work (or lack of following the 'snap', the stress of money, the concept of not accepting the break up with her husband of many years, and the embarrassment of being seen doing the roadside clean up are all believable.
I definitely found all the reasons behind the characters 'snap' believable. But for Francis I would have to say absolutely. I feel there is a lot of harm in young students having mobile phones at school, and being able to video and post without thought or concern to anybody involved. And there is no census on such action - the context is never able to be explained or at least not before hundreds of thousands of people have supposedly viewed it. Plus I believe many teachers struggle with discipline, and for Francis, she was an author, not a teacher, and should not have been in a situation where she was being treated so badly by students in an education setting 'supervised' by teachers.
The storyline shift definitely worked for me, in part because the story lines were all quite believable. Plus the 'shift' between characters was cleverly written by the author.
I really enjoyed this book. I shall enjoy sewing a garment to represent it. My garment will be fun colours, colour blocked to represent the different characters and with a few stripes as a nod to those track suits which Geraint seemed to wear so often!
..... Sara
So glad to hear your thoughts on this. It's true that the instantaneous ability to post something online with no thought or consideration about whether it's a good idea can cause a lot of problems. Definitely don't think a visiting speaker should have been put into that position!
DeleteI also really liked Frances and there are outfits she wore that may inspire mine, but who knows? Lots of ideas still. I like your idea to colour block, including some track suit stripes. Look forward to seeing it!
1. The description of the book caught my eye because I quit my job in a fit of anger, leaving me time to participate in fun things like reading novels and sewing!
ReplyDelete2. I know next to nothing about Vancouver and have never been there. I liked the amount of local information included in the story.
3. My favorite character was Frances, maybe because I could relate to her the most, but also because she seemed to be the best fleshed-out character. My least favorite character was Daisy, just because she seemed insufferable. As for themes, I liked the themes of self-respect and finding balance and new direction after life disruption. I also enjoyed the comical side of having friends - that they will sometimes go to crazy lengths to protect and "help" you.
4. I think the snap moments were pretty believable and relatable. My usually jolly mom (a career teacher) once carried a misbehaving boy out of a classroom by his collar in anger. She felt really bad about it. She got away with it without anyone noticing. I actually think Geraint's snap is believable, because I experienced something similar and turned from my usual mild-mannered self into a sharp-tongued vengeance demon for about two weeks before reverting. Those kinds of betrayals can bring up primal responses, even in nice people. As for Parker, I find her rage believable, but I find it hard to believe that a young woman would do something as sure to be injurious as what she did was. I just think socialization would have prevailed, and she would just have screamed at him instead of doing what she did.
5. I understand the appeal of this approach to authors, but I sometimes don't like it. For example, I was really curious after all the teasers about what Parker did at the mall, but I had to wait to find out. Boo, haha.
6. I will be making the Sew News Parker panel tank. It will require pattern drafting, which I think could be seen as a second nod to Parker. I might or might not make it out of a cross-stitch embellished table runner I have. It depends on how big the pattern pieces end up being and how confident I feel at cutting time.
Happy reading and sewing, everyone! Thanks to all for a fun online social experience, and special thanks to Melanie for putting it all together for us to enjoy.
Jeankat from SPR
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on the read -- it's interesting to hear another take on Geraint's snap, from a personal perspective. Glad you found the book compelling even if you did have to wait for plot points to be revealed, haha! I'd love to see a version of the Parker Panel tank, hope you're able to make it work.
Delete