As usual, Kym and Bonny and I are taking turns promoting our latest book club choice and I’m up today to take a whack at encouraging you to read our Fall 2021 pick, Matrix by Lauren Groff.
I read Matrix last month and, I have to admit, I did not looooooove it. As I said in my review on Goodreads: The writing is exceptional, and if I were rating that alone, this would be a 4 star book. The story, however, never really grabbed me and I had a hard time connecting with the characters. I’m looking forward to discussing this with my book group and hoping that will enlighten me on what I missed.
The key to that review? The part where I say I’m looking forward to discussing this with my book group because that, my friends, is YOU. And I know when we discuss it that I’m going to discover things about the book that I missed. I know I’m going to see the story through someone else’s experience and that experience will enlighten me. And even if none of that happens, even if I don’t change my opinion about the book, I will be the better for having participated. Plus, the liveliest book discussions are the ones where everyone doesn’t agree!
Don’t get me wrong, though, on this selection. I completely support it and I think it’s a great book for us to read and discuss. If you don’t want to take my word for it, consider that it was a finalist for the National Book Award. And peruse some of the great reviews out there like this one from NPR and this (lengthier and more broad) one from The Atlantic.
I hope I’ve sold you on reading this one with us. Mark your calendars for January 11th for our zoom discussion!
I’m also very much looking forward to our discussion!
I am #35 at the library, so we shall see!
Having read it now, I can completely understand your thoughts on it. I think it will make for an excellent discussion, and really that’s what’s most important (remember how good the discussion was for Leave the World Behind?).
I liked it. Didn’t love it . . . but I really did like it. Can’t wait to talk about it with other readers! 🙂
I just downloaded the book from Libby… Yay!! I can’t wait for the discussion either!
I think the discussion is always better when there are divergent opinions. It really makes me pay more attention to my own reactions.
I’ve read this and would like to join in your discussion.
I am only a little way in and it’s interesting, but nothing I would have chosen to read. I look forward to hearing what others say.
I had to put it down to finish a book for another group, but saving it for a little bit will keep it fresher in my mind when we discuss.
I’m like, #billionth, on the hold list and I can’t wait to read it. Reading Monsters of Templeton in the meantime. Happy Thanksgiving!