Books Inspired by Books - Discussion

Have you read a book because it was discussed or a focal point in another story you was reading?  Was the inspiration obvious while reading?  Did you prefer one over the other?

I have noticed that many authors talk about books or the characters love of reading etc during story lines. Those quotes always touch me as someone that loves books and reading also.

Only since blogging within the last 3 years have I also noticed many authors get an inspiration from another book and I think, sweet, what a nice way to acknowledge the book and author. 

Here are the few I have picked up because of the recommendation.  My reviews are linked.



                    



I read After You by Julie Buxbaum which used The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett throughout.  I loved both of these stories.  The Secret Garden is not my genre of choice but it is a beautiful classic that I can't wait to share with my daughter now.  After You is adult women's fiction, one of my favourites.

 

And To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee has to be the #1 mentioned book in other works.  There is no saying you have never heard of TKAM.  I had the joy of reading this for the first time.  It is not one of my favourites but I definitely understand the love others have and the importance of the book.

                    


And recently I read the last in JT Ellison's series Where all the Dead Lie and she was inspired by the classic Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier.  This wasn't available on Kindle so I went to the bookstore and brought it, this is another many around the blogosphere love, so I look forward to reading.

 What experiences have you had, share your recommendations please.  If you decide to do a post, let me know, I will include a linky so we can share.

Discussion - Join In (We Need to Talk about Kevin)

***  SPOILER DISCUSSION ***

If you are considering reading this book YOU SHOULD NOT read this discussion!!

Please link your review here. (Doesn't matter when you reviewed it)




Questions to assist the discussion, pick and choose what you want to answer or just discuss.  Thanks for participating.

-  In ONE word describe this book.......

-  What is your favourite memorable scene?

-  Who do you blame for Kevin's childhood actions and becoming a murderer?  Do you think Eva should have been held responsible?

- Are you a mother?  How do you think the story affected you as a mom or not?

-  How would you describe Eva and Franklin's parenting style?

-  What expectations did Eva have of motherhood and how did she meet the reality of it?

-  What was your reaction to Kevin using a crowbar instead of a gun?

-  What do you think Kevin's motive was?

-  What do you think about the title?

Publisher Questions

-  The irony of Eva having read Robin Hood to an ailing, needy Kevin at a time of almost shocking mother-son bonding is played out in the way Kevin massacred his fellow students and the teacher who took an interest in him. Since it is Eva who connects Kevin's fevered state with her recollection of his unusual interest in anything whatsoever, is it possible that Kevin's methods were meant to figuratively slay his mother?

-  Do you think Franklin was in denial or did he realise some of the warning signs?  Did you sympathize with them as parents?  Can you have sympathy for a  mother and father who saw all the warning signs but failed to stop the violence?

-  Given that the story is told from Eva's perspective only, can she be trusted as reliable? Do you think she exaggerated to make herself look good/better? How do you think Franklin's version of events would have differed? Might Eva choose to portray Kevin in childhood as more wicked than he really was, if only to make her seem less culpable for his crimes as a teenager?

-  While you were reading the novel, did you ever wonder what Franklin was doing and why he never seemed to write back to Eva?  Did you figure out he was dead before it was revealed?

-  Do you think that Kevin was guilty of damaging his little sister's eye? If so, what evidence do you find for this assumption, and would it stand up in court?

-  At the conclusion of the novel, did you find Eva sympathetic in a way you may not have initially? Do you think Eva has sympathy and forgiveness for herself? Is she able to accept Kevin, and to see his personality as, however uncomfortably, akin to her own?

Thank you for participating.  I decided to respond in the comments along with you instead of planning ahead so I will come back and fourth through out the day and weekend. 

Movie Trailer for We Need toTalk about Kevin

Join us here at Tea Time with Marce on Friday to discuss the intense drama novel, We Need to Talk about Kevin.

I will post my review tomorrow.

Book Summary from Amazon

The gripping international bestseller about motherhood gone awry.

Eva never really wanted to be a mother—and certainly not the mother of the unlovable boy who murdered seven of his fellow high school students, a cafeteria worker, and a much-adored teacher who tried to befriend him, all two days before his sixteenth birthday. Now, two years later, it is time for her to come to terms with marriage, career, family, parenthood, and Kevin's horrific rampage in a series of startlingly direct correspondences with her estranged husband, Franklyn. Uneasy with the sacrifices and social demotion of motherhood from the start, Eva fears that her alarming dislike for her own son may be responsible for driving him so nihilistically off the rails.

Patiently waiting..........

I really look forward to seeing this.  I initially  heard the movie will be released on Friday, Dec 9 but now I have heard UK was released in Oct and this trailer says next year.  So you may still have time, go read this book, highly recommend but be warned, it is a very hard book to get through.

What do you think of trailer?

Discussion/Venting Time for Still Missing by Chevy Stevens

Welcome to Tea Time with Marce, thank you for joining us during the discussion of the Graphic Thriller, Still Missing.  I will keep the discussion open from Sept 23 to Oct 22.

I love when bloggers are honest but please try to be respectful to each other if you disagree.  This community is great because we all have a voice and opinions but remember it is our 'opinions'.  Ms. Steven's if you read this make sure you embrace the positives because there are a ton of bloggers that loved your book.  I didn't enjoy it but you got me discussing it....

If you reviewed it, I will link you here.

3 stars - Tea Time with Marce

3 stars - Bookworm with a View

4 stars - Reading on a Rainy Day
4 stars - Mental Foodie
4 stars - Crazy-for-Books
4 stars - Red Headed Book Child
5 stars - Freda's Voice

5 stars - TinasBookReviews

5 stars - Beck's Book Picks

If you read Still Missing but didn't write a review, I will link you here as we go.

Tell Me a Story (Cat)

DO NOT GO FURTHER - SPOILERS

 Full Discussion

Discussion Points - You can pick and choose what you want to post or comment about.  This is to get you started.

1. What did you enjoy the most about the book?
2. Choose one word to describe the story?
3. Did you find the story believable?
4. What did you find unbelievable, if anything?
5. Did the cursing offend you or did you feel it was appropriate in all spots?
6. Share with us your favourite quote.
7. What were your thoughts on the mother/daughter relationship before the ending?
8. Who did you think was involved before it was told to us?
9. How did the detail of how The Freak affect you, was it disturbing, difficult to read etc?
10. Do you think Chevy Stevens was effective in her method of having this story a one sided narration?
11. What is your opinion on the cop/victim relationship?
12. Was “The Freak” believable?
13. What was your reaction when Annie talked about The Freak's book addiction?
14. What do you think would have drove you crazy being locked up like that?  The control, baths, pee breaks, cooking, cleaning, etc
15. Are you a mom - how did the pregnancy and baby storyline affect you?
16. What did you think of her name Hope?

Link your Discussion Post here please

********************************************************************************

My VENT.......

Unbelievable, sigh.  First let me say I went to 3 different book stores and sent a friend that went to 2 and they were all sold out which of course added to my had to get it.  Seriously, I couldn't wait any longer I just downloaded on my Kindle.  Why didn't I do this first you ask, hmmm, because the amazing books I want to share, (rolling my eyes) I have to laugh because I wouldn't have shared this one, I would have gave it to my library.

Ok onto venting.

As soon as Annie was able to get her hands on the axe I thought oh joy, is this like the stupid horror films that you laugh at instead of being scared about.  Really, The Freak was so controlling, paranoid and careful, there is no way he would make a mistake that led to her not only gripping it but killing him too, (big sigh)

My next huge issue was she walks into the dang police station that dealt with her case and they treat her like a suspect and don't call the main guy until she ask for him, complete bollocks, like what the hell is that, (big sigh)

Family are always suspects, how did the cops not have any clue a whole year? (big sigh)

What did I enjoy about the book? The details of how he tortured her made it real for me, that is what makes a book great to me, the emotion you feel from the details, I loved the graphic gruesome physco actions by The Freak, it totally made me want to know more about him and feel engaged in the story.  Chevy Stevens made me want to know and understand The Freak.  Everything with him choosing books, letting Annie read the books and being so careful with them, I was like ohhhhh the Freak is a little normal, lol, NOT, just another part of his controlling side.  I also enjoyed the book in sessions but would have preferred to hear the voice of the therapist.

When I read a mystery, I always try to figure it out so I did think the step dad was the one fully involved but I still didn't have it completely right, you know with the complete unbelievable BS.  And the 2nd unsuccessful kidnapping, I am suppose to believe anyone in the world not on drugs would try that and it is their step daughter, seriously!!!

What would have drove me crazy, so many things but I really think eating with him would have messed with my mind, cooking and then looking at him without being sick everytime. I'm not sure if I could train myself with the pee breaks but drinking toilet water, ummm yup think I would have been trained fast too.

I am a mom friends, so the whole pregnancy, home delivery, the baby dying part tore me apart, I did shed a tear.  Now that was some good emotional writing.  How do you come back from that, seriously that is the only reason why I can almost believe killing him with the axe, because that emotion i'm sure can take over a person.  'Oh sure I will have another child with you'  omg FREAK!!!! lol

Ok, let me end my venting opinion with this, the name Hope just was beautiful and a great way to end the story, so glad Chevy Stevens shared that.

A favourite quote - I thought I'd worked past my childhood, past my family, past my pain, but when you've rolled around in manure long enough, there's no getting away from the stench.  You can buy every damn type of soap out there and scrub your skin until you're raw, but then one day you're out walking around and a fly lands on you.  Then another one, then another - because they know.  The know that underneath that fresh -scrubbed skin you're just manure.  Nothing but shit.  You can clean it up all you want, but the flies always know where to land.

I look forward to reading your comments and post if you join.