After we’ve hosted the Read With Us Zoom meet-up and ended the discussions on our blogs, Bonny and Carole and I take turns writing some sort of wrap-up post as a means of tying everything up with a neat little bow when we finish a book — and before we announce our NEXT Read With Us selection (which will be October 6 if you’re interested). This go-round? You get the wrap-up from me. And, as you may remember, that makes things a little . . . dicey. Because I have a hard time leading the discussion AND taking proper notes for a wrap-up post. Like . . . I often forget about taking any notes at all.

And that is exactly what happened this time. So we’re left with . . . only my memories of an inspired and heartfelt discussion. (And not even one group shot of our Zoom meet-up.) So. Here’s what I’ve got for you, wrap-up-wise, about the book/our Zoom this time around . . .

Fifteen of us joined together on Zoom for a lively discussion of Douglas Stuart’s John of John, a highly engaging and sometimes challenging novel. As usual, not everyone shared the same opinion of the book. Feelings ranged from “will end up as one of my top reads of the year” and “so good I read it twice” . . . to “it was okay, but please let’s not read another Douglas Stuart book” . . . to “I read it but I didn’t like it much.” And a couple of Read With Us readers didn’t finish (which is always absolutely fine with us). As I’ve said before (many times I’m sure), when it comes to book group discussions, it’s always much more interesting when there is a range of opinions about the book. It’s hard to have a good discussion about a book when everyone feels the exacgly the same way about it! I think most of us left the discussion with at least one new idea or connection about the book, and that’s always a big book group WIN to me.

What did we like? We liked the characters, the moody-broody setting, and all the talk about textiles and colors. Many of us were surprised when we came to understand the characters and their motives so well — even the characters we didn’t like so much. We talked a lot about sacrifice and duty and using the loom/weaving as a metaphor for community. We generally liked the ending and found it hopeful. Favorite characters were Cal, Ella, Innes, and Grace.

What didn’t we like? Those that didn’t like the book much felt it was pretty bleak (both the setting and the circumstances the characters found themselves in). Most of us didn’t appreciate the way John treated his son, Cal. At all. And we were frustrated that the characters kept so many secrets and hid so much from each other (feelings and words, for the most part) – and just wished that these people would talk to each other.

As always, we enjoy being together as a group to share our feelings and talk together about a book we’ve all read (or maybe haven’t read). I think I’m not alone in saying that this Read With Us community is really special, and I thank you all for reading with us. And for being here – together – with us.

(And if you haven’t joined in the Zooms yet, maybe consider it. We’d love to have you  join us.)