Welcome to Week 1 of the Online Book Club discussion of Without Remorse.
The Online Book Club, if you’ve never joined us before, is a book discussion group that takes place entirely online. Each week, I write a new blog post that talks about different aspects of the book, and you can interact directly with me and other readers by leaving your comments. Check back each week and see what new topics we’re talking about.
Without Remorse is the story of John Kelly, a former Navy SEAL and Vietnam veteran who loses his wife in a car crash and is forced to rebuild his life. At the beginning of the book, Kelly appears to find new love, but this relationship introduces him to the seedy world of drugs and ultimately leads him down a path of revenge and retribution. It’s a complicated story about a very complicated character.
If you want to follow along with us but you aren’t interested in reading the book, you can always watch the movie version starring Michael B. Jordan. Check out the trailer above for the movie version if you want to get a feel for the series. Feel free to still leave comments on the blog posts, even if you’re only watching the movie and not reading the book.
We’ll read the first 12 chapters for next time, so make sure to read those before checking out the next blog post. I look forward to hearing from you in the comments!
Did you enjoy the way the book ended? How did you feel about Harriet by the end of the book? I think Harriet is a very complicated character, and it is really hard to root for her sometimes! But, I’m glad she was able to have some redemption by the end of the book. If you want to read about the influence that Harriet has had on other writers, check out this article.
At the beginning of this section, we find out that the plan Harriet’s classmates had was to build a Spy Catcher’s Clubhouse. Did you expect they would do something like that? Do you think they also planned to dump the ink on Harriet, or was that more a spur of the moment decision? I thought the ink was meaner than the clubhouse. The clubhouse was mean because it excluded Harriet, but the ink was so much more public and caused more damage. The Spy Catcher Club parade past Harriet was pretty cold–it’s so crazy that kids can make up these cruel schemes.
I understood why Harriet’s parents took away her notebook, but I think having her notebook taken away just made everything worse. Don’t you? At least the notebook gave her some sort of outlet or confidant. Were you surprised that Harriet started skipping school once her notebook was taken away? Do you blame her for skipping school?
I thought it was a good idea for Harriet to go see a psychiatrist, but I don’t think their session did much good. I think the letter from Ole Golly is what really turned Harriet around, don’t you? What did you think of Ole Golly’s advice that Harriet would have to apologize and lie to her friends? Do you think that was good advice? I don’t think Harriet really apologized for what she wrote in her notebook. I know she published that piece in the paper where she basically retracted all of her previous statements, but it wasn’t very specific or sincere. What did you think? Would you have accepted what she wrote as an apology?
What did you think of her newspaper column? I really can’t believe that the school actually printed it. The things that she talked about were not very nice! She was basically just using the paper like she used her notebook. Are you surprised that the school would allow her to print a gossip sheet as the school paper? I also don’t think it was fair that she wrote about the people on her spy route. They didn’t ask for their personal business to be spread across the neighborhood. And, they didn’t even have any idea that their personal lives were being talked about. I thought that was really sad that she published those details about the people. What do you think about all of the people on her route? Would they be upset to know that a little girl was talking about them to her classmates?
Were you surprised that Sport and Janie forgave Harriet in the end? I’m glad that they did, but I’m not sure what is really going to change in the future for all of them. I don’t think Harriet really learned anything by the end of the book, so I’m guessing she will keep spying and keep making observations about those around her. Do you think she will continue to watch the same people? Do you think she will look to find more people to add to her route?
What are your final thoughts about the book? Was it enjoyable to read? If you want to know what Harriet did next, make sure to read the next book in the series, The Long Secret. If you’d like to read or watch similar titles that are not part of the Harriet universe, check out this list I created. Make sure to let me know if you watch or read anything on the list!
Before you go, did you know there is a more recent screen adaptation of Harriet the Spy? There is a new animated adaptation on Apple TV+. Check out the trailer below to see if this adaptation looks faithful to the book.
Thanks for following along this month! Make sure to leave a comment to let me know what you thought of the book. And, make sure to check back again next month as we read Without Remorse by Tom Clancy. I look forward to hearing from you in the comments!
Welcome to Week 3 of the Online Book club discussion of Harriet, the Spy.
The tide really turns for Harriet in this section, doesn’t it? Now we definitely know that the people she write about in her notebook do not like being written about in such an unflattering way!
What did you think was harder to read about–Ole Golly leaving or all of Harriet’s friends turning on her and treating her harshly? I thought the Ole Golly section was the hardest to read about. I was really upset that Harriet’s mother got so emotional and fired Ole Golly. I understood why the mom was so upset, but I thought that Ole Golly’s years of service would have made the family trust her and her judgement a bit more. I was glad that Ole Golly was actually able to leave on her own terms, but it was sad to see how she was treated initially. It was really hard to read about how hard it was for Harriet to say goodbye to Ole Golly. I think Ole Golly was more of a maternal figure than Harriet’s mother, so I can’t imagine how heartbreaking it would be to lose her. In her notebook, Harriet writes that Ole Golly leaving has left a little hole in Harriet’s life–I thought that was sad to read. Do you think Ole Golly is going to have a happy life? Mr. Waldenstein is a real character. I hope he and Ole Golly are able to have a good time together.
All of the people that Harriet spies on are so unusual. The Robinsons are so different. They spend their money on the weirdest things. Would you like a 6 foot tall statue of a baby like they had? The Dei Santis are so dramatic, and Harrison Withers is so pathetic. Could you imagine living in an apartment with so many cats? But, the cats seemed to be his family, so it was upsetting when they were taken away. I hope Harriet doesn’t try to get in the dumbwaiter again. I think she deserved to be caught because I don’t think it was right that she was breaking and entering to spy.
The kids immediately turned on Harriet after they read her notebook. I don’t really blame them. She really did say horrible things about them. What did you think about the ways that they tried to get back at Harriet? She really didn’t like the notes they passed about her, but she was really bothered by the fact that they stole her tomato sandwich. It seemed that the missing tomato sandwich was what really sent her over the edge. Do you think she was justified in wanting to stay home for days after everyone treated her so unkindly? Do you think Harriet would have been able to handle her classmates better if Ole Golly were still in the house? At the end of this section, Harriet learns that her classmates have some sort of plan to get back at her for all of the things she said about them. What do you think they could have planned? Do you think they are going to do something mean to her? I hope they don’t do anything that causes anyone to get injured!
What do you think is going to happen to Harriet? I don’t think she’s learned anything or is planning to change her actions. She’s still writing things in her notebook, and I don’t think she’s going to stop spying. I think she thinks that she has been wronged–she doesn’t realize that she has wronged anyone. Do you think Ole Golly is going to come back into the story? Do you have any hopes for the end of the story? Do you have anything that you’re really hoping to see in the last section?
Before you go, check out the link below to see how the notebook reading scene played out in the movie version. I can’t imagine how violated Harriet felt when everyone was reading her private thoughts.
Thanks for reading along this week! I hope you let me know what you thought of the section by leaving a comment. Make sure to finish the book for next week!
Did you all read this book when you were younger, or is this your first time reading? I read the book often when I was younger, but I haven’t read through it for probably 25 years. So, it’s been really fun rediscovering a book that I really enjoyed as a child! It’s funny how many of the scenes and lines I remembered so vividly.
What do you think about Harriet in this first section? Do you think she’s a very likeable character? She definitely knows her own mind and isn’t afraid to be true to herself. What about Sport? I think he’s a sad character since it seems like he has to be the grownup at home. I think Janie is terrifying. I really think she would blow up her house if she felt like it would be a good experiment. Finally, how do you feel about Ole Golly? She’s very mysterious, but it’s evident that she loves Harriet a lot and is a very dependable person in Harriet’s life.
The beginning of the book is so interesting to me. I remember feeling like the game Harriet was playing at the beginning was really cool. I used to love playing pretend like that when I was a little girl. It’s interesting that she was able to play pretend with a pretend town without having any dolls or toys. I can’t believe she was able to keep all of those details together without having physical objects to play with. I guess she wouldn’t be able to keep things straight if she didn’t have her notebook!
Why do you think it started with Ole Golly taking the kids to see her mom? That was really interesting. It definitely showed the kids a different way of life, but I kind of wished there was more of an explanation about why Ole Golly’s mom was the way she was and how Ole Golly was able to become the woman she became. What did you think of that scene? Do you think it matched with the rest of the section?
I think it’s great that Harriet is engaged in the world around her and is so observant, but some of her observations are not very flattering. I know she expects her thoughts to stay private, but still, it’s amazing that she felt so comfortable expressing all of her observations in such a way. Do you think the other kids at school have any idea what Harriet thinks of them? I don’t think they do. At least they don’t treat her with open disdain like I imagine they would if they knew what she thought of them.
What do you think of her spy route? I really can’t believe she feels comfortable spying on people in that way. What did you think when she got in a dumbwaiter to spy on Agatha Plumber? I think that was definitely crossing a line. I feel like all of these stops on her route are like a reality show for her. She gets to see how other people live on a daily basis. I wonder if she ever goes back and reads her old notes about the people she spies on. And, I wonder if she always has something to write about on each of her stops. Surely the people she watches don’t do interesting things all the time.
It’s interesting that Ole Golly has a boyfriend. What do you think his story is? Do you think he and Harriet will get along if they get a chance to meet? I can’t imagine that Harriet will like having to share Ole Golly with anyone.
What do you think will happen in the next section? Do you think Harriet will have to go to dancing lessons? Do you think she will get to meet Ole Golly’s boyfriend? What will happen on her spy route?
Before you go, check out these interesting articles about the real townhouses that are like the house that Harriet lives in in the book. She the inside of the inspiration house here, and then check out this interesting article about the value of some of the houses that have shown up in children’s books.
Make sure to read until chapter 11 for next week! I hope to hear your thoughts on this first section in the comments!
Welcome to Week 1 of the Online Book Club discussion of Harriet, the Spy by Louise Fitzhugh.
The Online Book Club, if you’ve never joined us before, is a book discussion group that takes place entirely online. Each week, I write a new blog post that talks about different aspects of the book, and you can interact directly with me and other readers by leaving your comments. Check back each week and see what new topics we’re talking about.
Harriet the Spy is the story of an eleven year old girl who wants to be a spy. She practices her spy skills by watching her classmates and people in her neighborhood and recording all of her findings in a notebook. This system works well for Harriet until her beloved notebook falls into the wrong hands, and she is forced to reconcile with the fact that her spying might not have been as harmless as she believed.
If you want to follow along with us but you aren’t interested in reading the book, you can always watch the movie version starring Michelle Trachtenberg and Rosie O’ Donnell. Check out the trailer above for the movie version if you want to get a feel for the series. Feel free to still leave comments on the blog posts, even if you’re only watching the movie and not reading the book.
We’ll read the first five chapters for next time, so make sure to read those before checking out the next blog post. I look forward to hearing from you in the comments!
Did you like the end of the book? Were you surprised by the very last page? I definitely was surprised about how everything turned out.
The tour went about as well as I thought it would. Billy and Daisy made great music together, but they were so toxic when they were near each other. It was sad to see how they just couldn’t be in the same room with each other without fireworks exploding. It was sad, too, how Eddie seemed to always have one foot out the door, and Pete wasn’t much better. They were all just so unhappy with each other–I think they would have benefitted from counseling. It’s a wonder that they were able to perform at any of their concerts.
Could you believe how things went with Nicky and Daisy? I knew he was bad news, but I didn’t expect for him to take such poor care of Daisy when she almost overdosed. Weren’t you glad when he was finally out of the picture?
Were you surprised by how Karen and Graham’s relationship ended? Their storyline was really sad. I thought they were a really great couple, but they had different goals and wanted different things. I was really disappointed with how they ended things and how they hurt each other so much.
The band experienced so many things after their album came out. They won a Grammy, they performed at SNL, they played at sold-out arenas. Could you believe that they were able to achieve such great things even though they weren’t a band for that long? It was almost unbelievable how they were able to achieve so much in so little time. They were superstars so quickly.
Weren’t you glad that Billy and Daisy didn’t have an affair. I think it would have ruined the book for me if they had gotten together. I was glad that Billy was able to be true to Camilla and honor his commitment he made to her. Didn’t you half expect Daisy and Billy to really ruin things and act on their passionate feelings? Billy worked so hard to be so good throughout the whole book. Were you surprised that he took a drink near the end of the book? I was glad that it didn’t end up causing him to relapse. It was a good thing that that one fan was near him during the whole episode.
Were you surprised when the band broke up? I wasn’t surprised, but I was surprised by the way they broke up. It just seemed like they all decided seperately to be finished and just walked away. There wasn’t any big dramatic moment. Do you think Daisy would have walked away from the band if it hadn’t been for Camila? What did you think of Daisy and Camila’s conversation? Was Camila fair in all of her points?
What did you think about where everyone ended up? I was really surprised that Daisy ended up leaving the music industry. I just assumed she would be a big star on her own, but maybe being in the spotlight like that was too hard for her in recovery. I think it makes sense that Billy became a song writer. He seemed to really enjoy writing music, and I’m sure he liked writing songs without getting input from anyone else. I’m glad that Karen stayed a musician, and I think Eddie becoming a producer was a good idea. Would you have put any of the characters on a different path?
Did I miss anything in this last section that you thought was important? What was your favorite part of the entire book?
If you liked this book and would like to watch and read similar items, check out this list I created. Make sure to let me know if you check out anything on the list!
Before you go, check out this video in which the stars, Sam Claflin and Riley Keough talk about the process they went through to become Billy and Daisy.
I can’t wait to hear all your thoughts about the book in the comments! Thanks for following along this month and make sure to join us again next month as we read Harriet, the Spy by Louise Fitzhugh.
What did you think of this section? So many things happened to the characters! It all starts with Daisy joining the band onstage to play their hit, “Honeycomb.” How did you imagine that scene? If you want to see how it played out in the series version, check out the video below. Does the song sound like you thought it would?
Were you surprised when Graham and Karen got together? I wasn’t expecting them to become a couple. But, I think I liked them together. They seemed to be really kind to each other. What did you think of Daisy and Billy in this section? They have such a tumultuous relationship to each other. I can’t imagine working with or spending time with someone that ellicited such a reaction in me.
The tension between Eddie and Billy really increased in this section. Billy seems to be completely oblivious to Eddie and the way he treats him. The band definitely evolved to be the Billy and Daisy show, so it didn’t really seem like the other band members mattered all that much. What do you think it would feel like to be in a band like that? I don’t think I would have that great of an attitude. But, maybe I would be like Warren and just like doing the music and getting the money.
What did you think about the recording and writing process? I thought that section was really interesting. Again, I really can’t imagine writing a song, so it was so foreign to me. I think it would be really hard to share a song with another person. It seems like a really vulnerable thing to do. Their songs were all so personal. It’s almost like allowing someone to read your diary. Were you surprised that Billy and Daisy were able to work together at all? They seemed to be able to make some really great music when they put aside their egos and really tried with each other. I couldn’t believe how Billy continued to be so controlling about the music. He was so clueless about everyone else. What did you think about the part where Billy went in the studio and changed all of the arrangements without everyone else? That might have been his lowest moment, but it made for a great album!
Don’t you wish you could have been a fly on the wall during the album cover shoot? That must have been quite the show with Billy and Daisy so angry with each other.
Wasn’t it sad to read about all of the bad decisions Daisy made in this section? It’s so hard to read about people who are in active addiction. Her relationship with Nicky was pretty horrible. They really encouraged each other to partake in destructive behavior. I know Daisy really wanted to be with Billy, but she overcompensated too much by picking someone like Nicky.
This section ends with the Rolling Stone article about Daisy and Billy hating each other. Don’t you think that piece made people more interested in the band? It seems like people gravitate towards drama, so it makes sense that people wanted to come and see them interact with each other on tour. Were you surprised that they were willing to share their thoughts about each other to the reporter? Did it seem like either of them was repentant about what they said?
What do you think the tour will be like? Do you think the band will be able to make it through the whole tour? What do you think is going to happen in the next section?
Don’t you think it would be really hard to cast these characters for the series? Check out this video where author, Taylor Jenkins Reid, talks about the process. Do you think they made the right casting choices?
I hope you’ll be able to finish the book for next time. I can’t wait to hear from you in the comments.
Did you enjoy reading the first part of the book this week? I love how the style and format of this book are so different than any other book I’ve ever read. It’s such a quick read since it’s set up as little interviews. Do you like reading a book that’s set up like this?
In this first section, we’re introduced to all of our main characters. Do you find yourself enjoying any character over any others? Daisy Jones is so interesting and compelling to read about, but I wouldn’t say I “like” her. I feel sorry for the childhood she had, and I feel sad about the choices she’s making with drugs. But, you can’t deny that she’s talented and is destined to be a superstar. Billy goes through a lot in this first section. How surprised were you when he cheated on Camila? I didn’t think she would be willing to stand by him. I felt so sad that Billy missed so much of his baby’s first months, but I was glad that he was committed to getting help. Do you think he’s a good leader for the band? How do you think he and Daisy will mesh in the next section? Do you like any of the other band members? I really like Karen. I think she sounds really cool, and I appreciate her perspective in the story.
Are you enjoying reading about the music industry? It’s such a foreign world to me, so it’s fun to read about. I can’t imagine writing a song. That sounds like an impossible task. It was interesting how Daisy felt like she was a great songwriter but then realized that she hadn’t written any full songs. Songwriting seems to come pretty easy for Billy. Do you think it’s hard to read about the songs but not hear them? It’s hard to imagine what the songs sound like just by reading what they’re about.
Do you feel like the band seems like they’re very healthy? I think there is some hostility towards Billy because he’s so controlling of the band and the music. He definitely wants the music to sound his way, and he wants the lyrics to be his lyrics. It almost feels like Billy would be more suited to being a solo artist since he has such strong opinions about everything. I think the band member he has the most tension with is Eddie. Do you feel that way? I don’t feel like Billy thinks about Eddie’s feelings at all, and it seems like that bothers Eddie. Billy also has a lot of tension with Daisy, obviously, but I think that tension goes both ways. How do you think Billy and Daisy are going to get along if they have to spend more time together?
Did you have a favorite part of the first section that I didn’t mention? Are you excited to keep reading?
Before you go, check out this video by author, Taylor Jenkins Reid. Let me know what you think about her explanation about the origin of the book and the characters!
For next week, make sure to read to the section titled, “Aurora World Tour.” I hope to hear from you in the comments!
Welcome to Week 1 of the Online Book Club discussion of Daisy Jones & the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid.
The Online Book Club, if you’ve never joined us before, is a book discussion group that takes place entirely online. Each week, I write a new blog post that talks about different aspects of the book, and you can interact directly with me and other readers by leaving your comments. Check back each week and see what new topics we’re talking about.
Daisy Jones & The Six follows a band on their meteoric rise to fame in the 1970s. The story is told in an interview format, so the action is told from the perspective of all of the members of the band. If you enjoy Behind the Music type documentaries, you’ll love this book.
If you want to follow along with us but you aren’t interested in reading the book, you can always watch the television series that aired on Amazon Prime. Check out one of our Amazon Prime Roku Express 4K+ Streaming Devices if you’re interested in watching the series! Preview the trailer above if you want to get a feel for the show. Feel free to still leave comments on the blog posts, even if you’re only watching the show and not reading the book.
We’ll read to the section entitled, “The Numbers Tour,” for next time, so make sure to check out those beginning chapters before joining us next week! I can’t wait to hear your thoughts about the first section in the comments!
Welcome to the final discussion of Absolute Power by David Baldacci.
What did you think about the end of the book? Did everything wrap up in the way you wanted it to? Were you satisfied with the ending?
I wasn’t surprised at all that this section started with Jack and Jenn fighting over the fact that Jack was going to help Luther. I knew she wasn’t going to be happy about Jack sticking his neck out. What did you think of the scene where Jack finally told Jenn all that he thought of her? I thought he was justified in telling her what he thought, but I thought he waited way too long to tell her his feelings. I feel like he wasn’t honest with her throughout their entire relationship. I don’t blame Jenn for being confused–I think Jack wasn’t true about his thoughts and feelings the whole time they were together. I was surprised that Jenn’s father ended up siding with Jack in the end. I thought for sure that he was going to come after Jack for all of the things Jack said about Jenn.
Were you surprised that Luther was killed? I guess I wasn’t since there had already been a plan in place to take him out. But, I think I was surprised that they were actually successful in killing him. I hoped that he would make it to the end of the book. I was just so shocked throughout this last section about how many people the president and his team were willing to kill. They just kept doing more and more shocking things to cover up their original crime. I couldn’t believe how everyone became so unhinged. I also couldn’t believe how President Richmond could be so duplicitous. It’s very shocking that a person could be so personable and friendly in public but so angry and violent in private. And, he was able to lie so easily and convincingly.
What did you think of Walter Sullivan? I thought it was interesting that he pieced together the fact that the president was the one behind his wife’s murder, and I thought it was interesting that he believed he was powerful enough to be safe from the president and his men. I don’t think Sullivan expected, at all, to be attacked and murdered. I think he thought he was one step ahead of everyone. I was really surprised when Burton showed up to kill Sullivan. Did you expect that Sullivan would be one of the victims of this crime spree?
Did Sandy Lord’s death surprise you the most? I think he and his girlfriend’s deaths were the most surprising in the whole book. Their deaths really showed that there was no limit to what the Secret Service were willing to do to protect themselves and the president.
What do you think of Jack at the end of the book? He was definitely brave at the end, and he did show more strength as the book progressed. Were you surprised how they were able to catch the president and his team at the end? Were you surprised that Jack ended up being instrumental in that process?
Were you surprised that Burton killed himself at the end of the book? Were you also surprised that Richmond was sentenced to death during his trial? I thought that was a little unbelievable. I know he did horrible things, but I can’t imagine a former president being sentenced to death. Maybe a life sentence in prison, but I can’t really imagine him being sentenced to death. I thought the epilogue was a little forced–it was nice to find out all of the details about the characters, but it was just a big information dump in just a few pages. What did you think of that ending?
Did you enjoy the book? Would you suggest it to other readers? Are you going to read any of Baldacci’s other books? If you enjoyed this book and would like to read or watch similar items, check out this list I created. Make sure to let me know if you check out anything on the list!
Want to hear more about how David Baldacci came up with the idea for this book? Check out this video in which he talks about the book and the movie. The most interesting thing about this video, for me, was his explanation of why he decided to have Luther witness the president’s crime through a two-way mirror. After you watch the video clip, check out this interview Baldacci did where he explained about his publishing process for this book. It’s so interesting how books can be sold and published so quickly!
Thanks for following along this month! I hope you’ll leave a comment to let me know what you thought about the book. And, make sure to let me know if you’ve seen the movie version. Is it similar to the book at all? If you want to read with us next month, make sure to pick up a copy of Daisy Jones & the Six. I hope to hear from you in the comments!