@Midwest67 : Lately I’ve found reading the books twice extremely helpful – if not necessary!!
I find when I read a book the first time, it’s really slow, and I focus mainly on the plot. The second time through, when the suspense is gone about what’s going to happen, I can focus much better on the characters and what their motivation is, as well as find clues early in the book about what’s going to happen later. The first one we did here that I read twice was A Gentleman in Moscow. I had very specific questions about why certain things happened, so I needed to reread it. Then we read Price and Prejudice, which I had never read before, and I read it first on Kindle and then in hardcover, having seen the BBC series in between. I also have an IRL book club, and last month we read The Mountain Between Us. I was asking all sorts of questions, only to discover that the answers were all in the book, and I just hadn’t noticed! So I think from now on, Yes, I’m going to read them twice.
The second time is usually a skim, and I’m looking for specific things.
I have occasionally read a book twice, but usually what i do is bookmark things and make comments about stuff I might like to comment on for the book club. I’ll skim a bit if the discussion starts covering things I’ve forgotten.
I know there’s at least one book that I reread completely, but since ICRS, I don’t remember what it was.
I’m reading it mostly on Kindle, but sometimes I have Alexa read it to me while cleaning the kitchen. (I know it’s not the same as a professional reader on audiobook, but I don’t drive much.) Enjoying it so far.
@oregon101 Are you still reading “Educated”? My IRL book club read that for last month’s meeting.
I’m looking forward to the discussion. I need to know what everyone loves about the book, which makes it sound as though I don’t like it. I do like it … enough, but …
Let’s just say I haven’t picked it back up in about four days now. I’m reading two other books I like better.
I just ordered the audio version. Maybe listening to a reader while enhance my reading experience.
My pace with Pachinko is certainly slower than with a book like The Dry. But that’s because for me, reading a family saga that spans decades is like settling in for Sunday nights of Masterpiece Theatre. There’s a complicated web of characters and a whole lot of history, and I have to take it one installment at a time. I’ve definitely become attached to the characters, so it’s been kind of emotionally draining of late! (I’m about a third of the way through Book II.)
Hmmm
Not a fan. Not enough deep character development. Was glad to finish it.
Loved The Dry.
Ynotgo, the Educated was a mixed bag. There is so much controversy around this book that made it more interesting.
There were some parts that lagged and others more interesting.
Perhaps better edited than many books lately. Again, glad when it was over.
What was really interesting is that I had just read The Great Alone.
Both had crazy fanatical fathers.
I liked the Great Alone better of the two.
Finished the last 75 pages or so last night. I had put it down for a few days-- when I restarted, I found I had forgotten a lot of characters’ names and back stories. So, the central characters lived fully in my mind, but the peripheral ones were easily forgotten. And some of them had strong personalities, too! I’m not sure why that was; perhaps it’s a function of my multitasking, aging mind rather than a flaw in the book.
Anyhow, I’ve also signed up for the audiobook from my library, so I hope a second reading/listening will be possible before we get into deep discussions.
I just restarted it, after my name came up on the library list. (I read the beginning a couple of months ago but had to return it.) I forgot that June will be upon us so soon! I have to pick up the pace.
I’ve been trying to get it from the library again but I’d be way down on the hold list so I’m not bothering. I should be able to discuss it from my notes and my memory.
