Final Thoughts

[floreader]

I really enjoyed reading this book, especially the historical interludes.  After I finished reading it, I thought about how just a few women in Salem making accusations were able to stir up so much trouble and tragedy.  This could never happen in today's times, I thought.  Then I realized it certainly could and did.  In the 1950's, Senator McCarthy started calling different people anti-American and held hearings in anti-American activities.  It ruined many people's careers and lives.  Reading this book reminded me of how history can repeat itself. 

[Jennmarie68]

I couldn't agree more. I love to read about Salem, but it seems as if there are so many stories that finding something that is truly original on the subject is hard. This book blew me away. I was so happy to be reading something that wasn't just a re-hash of a story that someone else had told before. 

[candeny6]

This is a rare exception when you CAN judge a book by its cover!  When I received it in the mail I couldn't believe how amazing the cover was.  Then when I read it, I loved it.  I am very much looking forward to more books by Katherine Howe!

[Deltadawn]

I agree on all counts.

That must have been great to be able to discuss it with your husband! fun!

---

DSaff wrote:

I loved the book and the discussion. Hats off to Rachel for such thought provoking questions, Katherine for being so open with her thoughts, and my fellow participants for their energy and enthusiasm. While I would have picked this book up without the discussion, I'm not sure I would have gleaned the insights and information that have come from this opportunity to do an indepth discussion. My husband and I had a great time discussing is at home as well. Thanks to everyone at B&N who made, and continue to make, the FL club a success. I can't wait to continue the conversation!

---

[DSaff]

It really is and we don't always agree. But, we don't discuss any section until both of us have had a chance to respond to the questions. That really makes it fun!

---

Deltadawn wrote:

I agree on all counts.

That must have been great to be able to discuss it with your husband! fun!

---

DSaff wrote:

I loved the book and the discussion. Hats off to Rachel for such thought provoking questions, Katherine for being so open with her thoughts, and my fellow participants for their energy and enthusiasm. While I would have picked this book up without the discussion, I'm not sure I would have gleaned the insights and information that have come from this opportunity to do an indepth discussion. My husband and I had a great time discussing is at home as well. Thanks to everyone at B&N who made, and continue to make, the FL club a success. I can't wait to continue the conversation!

---

---

[Skelly7645]

I want to thank B & N, Katherine Howe, our moderator and all the other readers who made this reading experience a great one.  I took a chance on this FL book; and WOW, am I glad I did.  Ms. Howe's rich writing, coupled with a story that drew me in before the end of the first chapter, made this my favorite of the First Look books I have read.  I knew very little of the Salem witches and the trials.  The interludes wove a wonderful historical perspective into the present story of Connie. 

I will be sure to try to see Ms. Howe at one of her book signings and I must say I will impatiently wait for her next novel!  Also, I think I will continue to read more regarding the witches and that time period. 

The other readers add alot to the reading of the book.  More than once, other readers comments pointed out subtle points that I had missed in my reading.  It has been a wonderful experience and I will tell my friends to be sure to purchase this book!!!

See you next time.

skelly7645

[blkeyesuzi]

What a sincere pleasure this has been.  From the book's packaging to the discussion, this has been a rare treat.  It's not often that a novel brings out such a celebratory atmosphere and I have to say that this one has done exactly that on these boards.  Personally, from the get-go it's almost seemed like we've been lucky enough to  celebrate the birth of a great new discovery.  

The Physick book took me back to the sensation of reading for sheer enjoyment like I remember so fondly in my days of devouring Nancy Drew and Agatha Christie novels. Stories a reader can get lost in. Back then, I could suspend belief and just enjoy the ride.  Novels like that are rare for me these days.  It takes a great storyteller and a poet to weave such a tale and hold me with such rapt attention.  Katherine Howe did just that! 

All I can say is.... WOW!

[Immortal-Spirit]

"The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane" has given me a fresh new look about the Salem Witch Trials, which I have read about A LOT.  Thank you, Ms. Howe.

Reading is my passion, which for the most part, is a solitary pursuit. Sharing this has been a great experience and a joy for me.

Being able to be a part of the First Look club has been a tremendous opportunity for me and I want to thank B & N for allowing me to take part in it.  

Thank you, everyone! 

[danikl]

Thank you Barnes and Noble for the opportunity to experience this book. While it's not a book I'd have been drawn to purchase, I'm glad to have had this pleasure. Will recommend it as a good read to others.

The Salem Trials came to life for me through reading this book. Would consider this an historic novel.

[abbyg7]

Thank you Barnes and Noble and Katherine Howe for the opportunity to read this book.  Also thanks to Rachel for another wonderful job moderating.

I also think this has been my favorite First Look book.  Like others, I loved the historical interludes, and the final one really tore at my heart.

I have already told several friends that they have to read this book.

I'm looking forward to more works by this author.

[kaylami]

This month turned out a little crazier than I planned.  It was hard enough to keep up with the reading schedule, let alone follow the discussion closely.  It seems that this book has had a lot of rave reviews.  I enjoyed it as well.  The interlude sections really made the book for me.  I love historical fiction and I can't imagine trying to fight against the tide of the Salem Witch Trials.  The sections with Connie's research really dragged for me though and that made it difficult to stick with the reading.  Overall I enjoyed the book and thanks to Barnes and Noble for this opportunity.

[ponie]

I have learned by participating in this FL with TPBODD that there are 2 ways to read a book.

1. For pleasure....goes like this:

oh look a dog...cute! lalalalala...

arrogant professor...most are! lalalalala...

calls mother by first name...some do!  lalalalala...

house unoccupied for 20 years...water runs, tomatoes in garden...OK! lalalalala...

blue meteor...starry night! lalalala...

burn mark on door...vandals!  lalalalala...

boyfriend becomes sick...bummer!  boo hoo! lalalalala...  etc etc etc

2. For B&N online book club...goes like this:

a dog...Hmmmmm...not a cat but a dog...could this be a familiar?...a dog as a familiar?  hmmm...and have we seen a dog before...hmmmm...could there be a connection with that dog in the Interlude? hmmmmm...how did he know where the house was??? hmmm....has he been here before?.....hmmmmmm...is he protecting Connie? hmmm....

an arrogant professor...hmmmm...with serpentine eyes...hmmmmm...what did he mean by what he said???...hmmmm...what could he be up to???....hmmmmm  Could he be needing Connie's research for his own advancement?  WHAT? hmmmm.....Is he Connie's father?  WHAT? hmmmm.....

hmmmm...calls mom Grace...what's that about?...what might be going on with Connie that would have her doing that or is Grace requiring that?...hmmmmm....let's give some thought to their relationship....Grace's motives...hmmmmm

tomatoes in the garden?  WHAT????  How could that be????  This is New England...what was the date again?  June?  Tomotoes?  ready for the picking???  hmmmm....could that really be?  What's going on here???  water runs after 20 years of non use?  WHAT????  let's think on that for a minute or two!!  Is there something going on here??? hmmmmm....

burn mark on door...hmmmm....who did it? WHAT? not vandals?  WHAT? could have been her mother as a protection?  WHAT?  Chilton, as a warning?  WHAT? the Wicca woman from the store?  WHAT? hmmmmm....you mean it wasn't just vandals?...what did Grace mean when she said blue???? hmmm...is there a connection?  what meteor??? hmmm...

boyfriend sick...how is that connected???  WHAT?  HOW?  hmmmmmm....age old curse? WHAT????  hmmmm....what's his part in all of this? ...how is he different from Connie? hmmm....

Connie could be pregnant!!!  WHAT? hmmmm...what would that mean?  HOW would that change things? hmmmm....can they beat the curse???? hmmmm.....how?....

The much belabored point is (until this FL) I wouldn't even think to ask questions, dig deeper, think any farther than what's there on the surface....Just reading a book, lalalalalala, but missing sooooo much.

The bottomline here...I will never read a book the same again!

I thank all of you for your comments, questions, ponderings, insights, responses that caused me to begin to ask questions, dig deeper, think about what I was reading (and what I believed and how I came to those beliefs).

Reading TPBODD and participating in this FL has changed me and caused me to look at what I think and the way I think about things I thought I was so sure of, so right about (tho sadly, I hadn't even really given it any thought!).  It has forced me to look at and question things I have taken for granted to be the way I knew them to be; had been told that they were.  I am now considering what  I  think about certain things not just what I have been told (or sold). I am looking at why I think and believe the way I do; how I came to such "knowings".  I am making decisions based on (further) investigation and study and conversation with people holding different views than mine.  After this, rather, because of this FL experience, I will know better why I think the way I do; how I am coming to the decisions right for me.  Those decisions, choices and determinations will be mine - not someone elses - or that of an institution.

A heartfelt thanks to you all.  I have so enjoyed interacting with each and everyone of you and look forward to continuing the journey with the next B&N FL ARC and many of you.

[biljounc63]

Pony what a great post!! Laurels for that one!

biljounc 

---

ponie wrote:

I have learned by participating in this FL with TPBODD that there are 2 ways to read a book.

1. For pleasure....goes like this:

oh look a dog...cute! lalalalala...

arrogant professor...most are! lalalalala...

calls mother by first name...some do!  lalalalala...

house unoccupied for 20 years...water runs, tomatoes in garden...OK! lalalalala...

blue meteor...starry night! lalalala...

burn mark on door...vandals!  lalalalala...

boyfriend becomes sick...bummer!  boo hoo! lalalalala...  etc etc etc

2. For B&N online book club...goes like this:

a dog...Hmmmmm...not a cat but a dog...could this be a familiar?...a dog as a familiar?  hmmm...and have we seen a dog before...hmmmm...could there be a connection with that dog in the Interlude? hmmmmm...how did he know where the house was??? hmmm....has he been here before?.....hmmmmmm...is he protecting Connie? hmmm....

an arrogant professor...hmmmm...with serpentine eyes...hmmmmm...what did he mean by what he said???...hmmmm...what could he be up to???....hmmmmm  Could he be needing Connie's research for his own advancement?  WHAT? hmmmm.....Is he Connie's father?  WHAT? hmmmm.....

hmmmm...calls mom Grace...what's that about?...what might be going on with Connie that would have her doing that or is Grace requiring that?...hmmmmm....let's give some thought to their relationship....Grace's motives...hmmmmm

tomatoes in the garden?  WHAT????  How could that be????  This is New England...what was the date again?  June?  Tomotoes?  ready for the picking???  hmmmm....could that really be?  What's going on here???  water runs after 20 years of non use?  WHAT????  let's think on that for a minute or two!!  Is there something going on here??? hmmmmm....

burn mark on door...hmmmm....who did it? WHAT? not vandals?  WHAT? could have been her mother as a protection?  WHAT?  Chilton, as a warning?  WHAT? the Wicca woman from the store?  WHAT? hmmmmm....you mean it wasn't just vandals?...what did Grace mean when she said blue???? hmmm...is there a connection?  what meteor??? hmmm...

boyfriend sick...how is that connected???  WHAT?  HOW?  hmmmmmm....age old curse? WHAT????  hmmmm....what's his part in all of this? ...how is he different from Connie? hmmm....

Connie could be pregnant!!!  WHAT? hmmmm...what would that mean?  HOW would that change things? hmmmm....can they beat the curse???? hmmmm.....how?....

The much belabored point is (until this FL) I wouldn't even think to ask questions, dig deeper, think any farther than what's there on the surface....Just reading a book, lalalalalala, but missing sooooo much.

The bottomline here...I will never read a book the same again!

I thank all of you for your comments, questions, ponderings, insights, responses that caused me to begin to ask questions, dig deeper, think about what I was reading (and what I believed and how I came to those beliefs).

Reading TPBODD and participating in this FL has changed me and caused me to look at what I think and the way I think about things I thought I was so sure of, so right about (tho sadly, I hadn't even really given it any thought!).  It has forced me to look at and question things I have taken for granted to be the way I knew them to be; had been told that they were.  I am now considering what  I  think about certain things not just what I have been told (or sold). I am looking at why I think and believe the way I do; how I came to such "knowings".  I am making decisions based on (further) investigation and study and conversation with people holding different views than mine.  After this, rather, because of this FL experience, I will know better why I think the way I do; how I am coming to the decisions right for me.  Those decisions, choices and determinations will be mine - not someone elses - or that of an institution.

A heartfelt thanks to you all.  I have so enjoyed interacting with each and everyone of you and look forward to continuing the journey with the next B&N FL ARC and many of you.

---

[DSaff]

Wonderful post!  =)

---

ponie wrote:

I have learned by participating in this FL with TPBODD that there are 2 ways to read a book.

1. For pleasure....goes like this:

oh look a dog...cute! lalalalala...

arrogant professor...most are! lalalalala...

calls mother by first name...some do!  lalalalala...

house unoccupied for 20 years...water runs, tomatoes in garden...OK! lalalalala...

blue meteor...starry night! lalalala...

burn mark on door...vandals!  lalalalala...

boyfriend becomes sick...bummer!  boo hoo! lalalalala...  etc etc etc

2. For B&N online book club...goes like this:

a dog...Hmmmmm...not a cat but a dog...could this be a familiar?...a dog as a familiar?  hmmm...and have we seen a dog before...hmmmm...could there be a connection with that dog in the Interlude? hmmmmm...how did he know where the house was??? hmmm....has he been here before?.....hmmmmmm...is he protecting Connie? hmmm....

an arrogant professor...hmmmm...with serpentine eyes...hmmmmm...what did he mean by what he said???...hmmmm...what could he be up to???....hmmmmm  Could he be needing Connie's research for his own advancement?  WHAT? hmmmm.....Is he Connie's father?  WHAT? hmmmm.....

hmmmm...calls mom Grace...what's that about?...what might be going on with Connie that would have her doing that or is Grace requiring that?...hmmmmm....let's give some thought to their relationship....Grace's motives...hmmmmm

tomatoes in the garden?  WHAT????  How could that be????  This is New England...what was the date again?  June?  Tomotoes?  ready for the picking???  hmmmm....could that really be?  What's going on here???  water runs after 20 years of non use?  WHAT????  let's think on that for a minute or two!!  Is there something going on here??? hmmmmm....

burn mark on door...hmmmm....who did it? WHAT? not vandals?  WHAT? could have been her mother as a protection?  WHAT?  Chilton, as a warning?  WHAT? the Wicca woman from the store?  WHAT? hmmmmm....you mean it wasn't just vandals?...what did Grace mean when she said blue???? hmmm...is there a connection?  what meteor??? hmmm...

boyfriend sick...how is that connected???  WHAT?  HOW?  hmmmmmm....age old curse? WHAT????  hmmmm....what's his part in all of this? ...how is he different from Connie? hmmm....

Connie could be pregnant!!!  WHAT? hmmmm...what would that mean?  HOW would that change things? hmmmm....can they beat the curse???? hmmmm.....how?....

The much belabored point is (until this FL) I wouldn't even think to ask questions, dig deeper, think any farther than what's there on the surface....Just reading a book, lalalalalala, but missing sooooo much.

The bottomline here...I will never read a book the same again!

I thank all of you for your comments, questions, ponderings, insights, responses that caused me to begin to ask questions, dig deeper, think about what I was reading (and what I believed and how I came to those beliefs).

Reading TPBODD and participating in this FL has changed me and caused me to look at what I think and the way I think about things I thought I was so sure of, so right about (tho sadly, I hadn't even really given it any thought!).  It has forced me to look at and question things I have taken for granted to be the way I knew them to be; had been told that they were.  I am now considering what  I  think about certain things not just what I have been told (or sold). I am looking at why I think and believe the way I do; how I came to such "knowings".  I am making decisions based on (further) investigation and study and conversation with people holding different views than mine.  After this, rather, because of this FL experience, I will know better why I think the way I do; how I am coming to the decisions right for me.  Those decisions, choices and determinations will be mine - not someone elses - or that of an institution.

A heartfelt thanks to you all.  I have so enjoyed interacting with each and everyone of you and look forward to continuing the journey with the next B&N FL ARC and many of you.

---

[BHall]

Ponie, your post below is the best.  Thanks for sharing your insights. 

---

biljounc63 wrote:

Pony what a great post!! Laurels for that one!

biljounc 

---

ponie wrote:

I have learned by participating in this FL with TPBODD that there are 2 ways to read a book.

1. For pleasure....goes like this:

oh look a dog...cute! lalalalala...

arrogant professor...most are! lalalalala...

calls mother by first name...some do!  lalalalala...

house unoccupied for 20 years...water runs, tomatoes in garden...OK! lalalalala...

blue meteor...starry night! lalalala...

burn mark on door...vandals!  lalalalala...

boyfriend becomes sick...bummer!  boo hoo! lalalalala...  etc etc etc

2. For B&N online book club...goes like this:

a dog...Hmmmmm...not a cat but a dog...could this be a familiar?...a dog as a familiar?  hmmm...and have we seen a dog before...hmmmm...could there be a connection with that dog in the Interlude? hmmmmm...how did he know where the house was??? hmmm....has he been here before?.....hmmmmmm...is he protecting Connie? hmmm....

an arrogant professor...hmmmm...with serpentine eyes...hmmmmm...what did he mean by what he said???...hmmmm...what could he be up to???....hmmmmm  Could he be needing Connie's research for his own advancement?  WHAT? hmmmm.....Is he Connie's father?  WHAT? hmmmm.....

hmmmm...calls mom Grace...what's that about?...what might be going on with Connie that would have her doing that or is Grace requiring that?...hmmmmm....let's give some thought to their relationship....Grace's motives...hmmmmm

tomatoes in the garden?  WHAT????  How could that be????  This is New England...what was the date again?  June?  Tomotoes?  ready for the picking???  hmmmm....could that really be?  What's going on here???  water runs after 20 years of non use?  WHAT????  let's think on that for a minute or two!!  Is there something going on here??? hmmmmm....

burn mark on door...hmmmm....who did it? WHAT? not vandals?  WHAT? could have been her mother as a protection?  WHAT?  Chilton, as a warning?  WHAT? the Wicca woman from the store?  WHAT? hmmmmm....you mean it wasn't just vandals?...what did Grace mean when she said blue???? hmmm...is there a connection?  what meteor??? hmmm...

boyfriend sick...how is that connected???  WHAT?  HOW?  hmmmmmm....age old curse? WHAT????  hmmmm....what's his part in all of this? ...how is he different from Connie? hmmm....

Connie could be pregnant!!!  WHAT? hmmmm...what would that mean?  HOW would that change things? hmmmm....can they beat the curse???? hmmmm.....how?....

The much belabored point is (until this FL) I wouldn't even think to ask questions, dig deeper, think any farther than what's there on the surface....Just reading a book, lalalalalala, but missing sooooo much.

The bottomline here...I will never read a book the same again!

I thank all of you for your comments, questions, ponderings, insights, responses that caused me to begin to ask questions, dig deeper, think about what I was reading (and what I believed and how I came to those beliefs).

Reading TPBODD and participating in this FL has changed me and caused me to look at what I think and the way I think about things I thought I was so sure of, so right about (tho sadly, I hadn't even really given it any thought!).  It has forced me to look at and question things I have taken for granted to be the way I knew them to be; had been told that they were.  I am now considering what  I  think about certain things not just what I have been told (or sold). I am looking at why I think and believe the way I do; how I came to such "knowings".  I am making decisions based on (further) investigation and study and conversation with people holding different views than mine.  After this, rather, because of this FL experience, I will know better why I think the way I do; how I am coming to the decisions right for me.  Those decisions, choices and determinations will be mine - not someone elses - or that of an institution.

A heartfelt thanks to you all.  I have so enjoyed interacting with each and everyone of you and look forward to continuing the journey with the next B&N FL ARC and many of you.

---

---

[CathyB]

Ponie, great post!

---

ponie wrote:

I have learned by participating in this FL with TPBODD that there are 2 ways to read a book.

1. For pleasure....goes like this:

oh look a dog...cute! lalalalala...

arrogant professor...most are! lalalalala...

calls mother by first name...some do!  lalalalala...

house unoccupied for 20 years...water runs, tomatoes in garden...OK! lalalalala...

blue meteor...starry night! lalalala...

burn mark on door...vandals!  lalalalala...

boyfriend becomes sick...bummer!  boo hoo! lalalalala...  etc etc etc

2. For B&N online book club...goes like this:

a dog...Hmmmmm...not a cat but a dog...could this be a familiar?...a dog as a familiar?  hmmm...and have we seen a dog before...hmmmm...could there be a connection with that dog in the Interlude? hmmmmm...how did he know where the house was??? hmmm....has he been here before?.....hmmmmmm...is he protecting Connie? hmmm....

an arrogant professor...hmmmm...with serpentine eyes...hmmmmm...what did he mean by what he said???...hmmmm...what could he be up to???....hmmmmm  Could he be needing Connie's research for his own advancement?  WHAT? hmmmm.....Is he Connie's father?  WHAT? hmmmm.....

hmmmm...calls mom Grace...what's that about?...what might be going on with Connie that would have her doing that or is Grace requiring that?...hmmmmm....let's give some thought to their relationship....Grace's motives...hmmmmm

tomatoes in the garden?  WHAT????  How could that be????  This is New England...what was the date again?  June?  Tomotoes?  ready for the picking???  hmmmm....could that really be?  What's going on here???  water runs after 20 years of non use?  WHAT????  let's think on that for a minute or two!!  Is there something going on here??? hmmmmm....

burn mark on door...hmmmm....who did it? WHAT? not vandals?  WHAT? could have been her mother as a protection?  WHAT?  Chilton, as a warning?  WHAT? the Wicca woman from the store?  WHAT? hmmmmm....you mean it wasn't just vandals?...what did Grace mean when she said blue???? hmmm...is there a connection?  what meteor??? hmmm...

boyfriend sick...how is that connected???  WHAT?  HOW?  hmmmmmm....age old curse? WHAT????  hmmmm....what's his part in all of this? ...how is he different from Connie? hmmm....

Connie could be pregnant!!!  WHAT? hmmmm...what would that mean?  HOW would that change things? hmmmm....can they beat the curse???? hmmmm.....how?....

The much belabored point is (until this FL) I wouldn't even think to ask questions, dig deeper, think any farther than what's there on the surface....Just reading a book, lalalalalala, but missing sooooo much.

The bottomline here...I will never read a book the same again!

I thank all of you for your comments, questions, ponderings, insights, responses that caused me to begin to ask questions, dig deeper, think about what I was reading (and what I believed and how I came to those beliefs).

Reading TPBODD and participating in this FL has changed me and caused me to look at what I think and the way I think about things I thought I was so sure of, so right about (tho sadly, I hadn't even really given it any thought!).  It has forced me to look at and question things I have taken for granted to be the way I knew them to be; had been told that they were.  I am now considering what  I  think about certain things not just what I have been told (or sold). I am looking at why I think and believe the way I do; how I came to such "knowings".  I am making decisions based on (further) investigation and study and conversation with people holding different views than mine.  After this, rather, because of this FL experience, I will know better why I think the way I do; how I am coming to the decisions right for me.  Those decisions, choices and determinations will be mine - not someone elses - or that of an institution.

A heartfelt thanks to you all.  I have so enjoyed interacting with each and everyone of you and look forward to continuing the journey with the next B&N FL ARC and many of you.

---

[m3girl]

Just a couple of final thoughts.  I finished the book last night and was pleased that there was a happy ending for Connie.  Sam recovered and Chilton got what he deserved.

On the other hand - those last few sections covering the trial, the prison and the hanging of Deliverance and the other women was disturbing - as it was no doubt intended.  The writing was good and got me right into the scene.  It made me sad that this happened not just in the book - but that it actually happened as is a part of our history.  We rely on our judicial system for a fair trial and being innocent until proven guilty - something that seems to be under duress these days.

Anyway - no soapbox this morning.  Thanks for providing us with a wonderful book to read and great topics for a vivid discussion.

Susan

[ponie]

---

m3girl wrote:

Just a couple of final thoughts.  I finished the book last night and was pleased that there was a happy ending for Connie.  Sam recovered and Chilton got what he deserved.

On the other hand - those last few sections covering the trial, the prison and the hanging of Deliverance and the other women was disturbing - as it was no doubt intended.  The writing was good and got me right into the scene.  It made me sad that this happened not just in the book - but that it actually happened as is a part of our history.  We rely on our judicial system for a fair trial and being innocent until proven guilty - something that seems to be under duress these days.

Anyway - no soapbox this morning.  Thanks for providing us with a wonderful book to read and great topics for a vivid discussion.

Susan

---

If you were to get on your soapbox, I'd be right there listening and agreeing.  There were many disturbing things in this for me as well.  I read The Crucible for the first time early on and I finished The Heretic's Daughter over the weekend and that added to all that "got to me" from TPBODD....and to (have to) sit with that the trials and everybody's part in them were real, not fiction.  Frightening to be in a system, falsely accused and betrayed by the very system set up with the express purpose to protect you and bring justice to all.  There are (sadly, too many) other examples of this very thing with tragic and most dire outcomes.  Let us all pray for wisdom; for ourselves and (especially) for those in places of power throughout our world. 

Ooooops, did I just step up on my soapbox???

I'll say it again.  This has been a real growth experience for me.  Thanks to you all.

[luvmykiddos]

This book kept me reading (and when I wasn't reading, thinking about reading!) until I was done! I felt myself totally there with the characters ... I just enjoyed,period! It was also a great touch to have so much energy from Ms. Howe in responding to our questions and statements.

[BookinBabe]

I thought this story was great for a debut novel, especially the details tying the "recipe" book with Radcliffe archives. Perhaps the character development could've been fine-tuned a bit; it seemed that the author wasn't sure if Connie should be portrayed as a mature post-grad. or a "kid". I guess I'd rather see her as the former, with less emphasis on her flip-flops and cutesiness. The correlations between the past and present events were well done. All in all, a fun read! Thanks!