#COLLABOREADS: Same First Name
If you're new to #COLLABOREADS, welcome!
Things are looking a little different around here, because we have a NEW CO-HOST! I'm so excited that Kristin from Taz + Belly is joining the party in 2017! Be sure to give her a warm welcome over on her site! (It's beautiful, so you'll probably get lost browsing all of her incredible posts, just FYI!)
Here's how this works: We pick a theme every month, you pick a book that fits (we all read different books! it's fun that way!) and then all link up and share our thoughts (with a handy-dandy R.E.A.D.S. acronym usually--see below!) and link up and become BFFs. You can read more about this whole thing here.
Riveting.
What part of the book could you NOT get enough of? This story was so great-- not what I expected, and so heart-warming. You want to root for Harold on his unlikely pilgrimage, and you want to see how the story will play out once he reaches his destination, even though there really isn't a ton driving the plot along. Sweet old Harold will be reason alone for you to keep reading, I promise! This isn't a heavy read, but a super sweet and encouraging story, and there are just enough little surprises and pieces uncovered along the way to keep you hooked and wanting to know how it all ties together in the end. I'm so curious about the sequel to this one, too! (Side note: it's HARD to find books that aren't cheesy romance novels by authors named Rachel, so I'm so glad I found this one and loved it!)
Elements.
How did you relate to/care for the characters? What's your thought on the plot line and twists and turns? I just loved Harold, truly. He's such a likable guy, with an unexpected strong driving force that propels him to go on this journey that is pretty insane and impossible-sounding. You probably won't love his wife at first, but as the story goes on and you peel back her layers, she too becomes likable. You don't know much about many of the other characters, but you'll love Harold, and that's really enough for this one.
Associate.
What other books are like this one? If none, did it remind you of a particular TV or movie with it's themes and characters? Does it serendipitous-ly line-up with things going on in your life or the news right now? This one was vaguely reminiscent of A Man Called Ove (affiliate link) -- except Harold is a lot more lovable and a lot less grumpy and crotchety. I didn't like Ove, but I wanted Harold to be my grandpa, and I really wanted to accompany him on his journey and just hear his stories.
Design.
You know you judged this book by the cover. What did you think of it? How did it relate to the contents of the novel? And the font and layout of the pages? The cover of my version is different than the cover I've seen online, and I think I liked mine more. It's playful, appropriate, and just works well. The newer version is much more typographical, which doesn't pop to me the same way this cover does.
Stars.
How many out of five do you give this book? Would you recommend this book to a friend? All 5 out of 5 for this one. Such a great, fun, light-hearted, sentimental read. An unexpected win with this one!
LET'S LINK UP NOW.
FOR NEXT MONTH:
February's theme is Love at First Sight. Find a book with a cover that just grabs you as soon as you see it, read it this month, blog your thoughts (you can use our R.E.A.D.S acronym or whatever style you want!) and link up at the end of the month!
Kristin from Taz + Belly and I are so excited to have you joining us, and we can't wait to see this fun little link-up grow this year!