Comments for Typecraft

Comment on Virtual YA Book Club Discussion: Pure by Julianna Baggott by typecraft

typecraft — Fri, 10 May 2013 22:12:10 +0000

I never thought about her grandfather not being dead. But Patridge’s dad is a cruel man. And I feel like Baggott really emphasized the fan a lot so that when Pressia got it as a “gift,” we would be horrified. Just like Sirius Black, I think he’s gone. Sadly.

Also I should put myself on the hold list for Fuse. Thanks for the reminder!

Comment on Virtual YA Book Club Discussion: Pure by Julianna Baggott by hellopants

hellopants — Fri, 10 May 2013 20:17:00 +0000

Of course i should point out that Fuse is not at my library, so i have a healthy wait in front of me. Also, and i don’t want to diminish a very poignant moment of the book, but i don’t really believe her grandfather is dead. Ok sure, i didn’t think sirius black was dead either, for like a real long time. So this could just be me. But considering the medical and scientific advances if the Dome, i just feel like he could still be alive. And they removed the fan, or even sent her just any old fan, to torture Pressia, to control her. Maybe?

Comment on Virtual YA Book Club Discussion: Pure by Julianna Baggott by typecraft

typecraft — Fri, 10 May 2013 15:16:33 +0000

Thanks for joining us Joanna! I don’t remember that cartoon but it sounds fun. I, too, thought that Pressia, Partridge, and Bradwell would be a love triangle, but I loved that unexpected twist that it didn’t happen. I’m ready for the next book, but after I read something less dark. There were certain parts of the book where I had to put it down. It just freaked me out too much like the grandfather’s fan and when the mom exploded. But I ended up loving the book despite my initial gross out.

Comment on Virtual YA Book Club by Why You Should Join a YA Book Club | Read. Breathe. Relax. | Young adult book reviews and fantasy book reviews

Wed, 08 May 2013 20:22:25 +0000

[...] Join a virtual group or forum. If meeting in person isn’t your thing or you just don’t have enough time to commit, Goodreads will be super helpful in your quest. It’s such a huge community, and there are so many different groups and online clubs – like the Young Adult Book Club. BAM, done. Also, there is this other cool site I found doing something similar as well HERE. [...]

Comment on Virtual YA Book Club Discussion: Pure by Julianna Baggott by joanna

joanna — Wed, 08 May 2013 02:16:17 +0000

Hi there,
So I agree, the “fused” imagery was often pretty disturbing, and I too was wary of reading right before going to sleep, afraid that my brain would hold onto those images while I slept. However, I was compelled enough by the story that I kinda ignored the fear and kept going. (Also, sidenote: Did anyone ever watch the cartoon Earthworm Jim? It was on in the mid 90′s I believe and it was about an evil-battling earthworm in a robot suit. Some of the villains he battled were “fused” creatures, in a way, such as Queen-Slug-for-a-Butt and Professor-Monkey-for-a-Head. I can’t remember why these characters were the way they were, but it was hilarious and disgusting and I couldn’t help but think of this cartoon and laugh about it when I was reading Pure. It kinda helped with the ick factor.)
Anyway. I thought the story built a little slowly, but the writing was so careful and poetic it held my interest the whole way. I admired the author’s commitment to the grotesque; I wonder if the first draft was even harder to swallow? I also found myself thinking about the Hiroshima bombing and wondering how much of that element of the story was researched and/or based on true events. Some of the small details seemed almost like they could be based on someone’s actual memory.
I liked Pressia and Partridge’s relationship. I was worried at first that the main romantic story would be Pressia falling for the perfect-looking boy and that Bradwell would get the shaft. Cheers for unpredictability! I am definitely reading the next installment.

Comment on Virtual YA Book Club Discussion: Pure by Julianna Baggott by typecraft

typecraft — Fri, 03 May 2013 15:54:46 +0000

I’m so glad that you ultimately enjoyed it. Pure is a tough one. There were some parts when I had to put the book down. Mainly when Pressia got the fan in that gift box. It broke my heart.

I too loved the theme of past and memory. How something as strange as red bows on cars can seem to someone who wasn’t living in the Before.

The world Baggott creates is so bizarre and scary but there was a lot that echoed of our world.

Thank you for giving this book a chance.

Will you continue with the series??? Or is Pure enough?

Comment on Virtual YA Book Club Discussion: Pure by Julianna Baggott by typecraft

typecraft — Fri, 03 May 2013 15:45:04 +0000

I’d love to know what you’re not digging in the book. I personally loved it but I had to push past what I thought was gross.

And it’s okay not to like it or finish it! We’re not living in the Dome! No demands on finishing it if it’s not your cup of tea.

Comment on Virtual YA Book Club Discussion: Pure by Julianna Baggott by Sutton Long

Sutton Long — Fri, 03 May 2013 03:13:42 +0000

I began this book and was initially put off by its intensity, and especially the descriptions of humans fused with objects. However, once I was able to push past my fear and disgust, I was pulled in by the story and pacing. The concept of memory and of a past that no longer exists is so powerful; I loved the game of “I Remember” and the totem objects that held so much meaning for the characters. Who are we without our memories and without the things that have defined us?

The author’s comment that life can feel like “an ashen wasteland” seems melodramatic, but dial it down a bit, and I agree that life is frequently harsh and hard. Here in the US, there are so many people who have so little — whether it’s education or opportunities — and many who have way too much. I liked that Pure pushed the concept of the 1% and the 99% to its outer limits. That felt like real life through the prism of fiction.

I don’t know that I would have read this book without the bookclub, so thanks — I ended up really enjoying it!

Comment on Virtual YA Book Club Discussion: Pure by Julianna Baggott by April Reads | Angie Eats Peace

April Reads | Angie Eats Peace — Wed, 01 May 2013 12:40:45 +0000

[...] to blog more about this book as I work my way through it. 5. Pure-This was a pick for my YA Book club. It is another dystopian novel with a female protagonist, I just can not get enough of this genre [...]

Comment on Virtual YA Book Club Discussion: Pure by Julianna Baggott by VeganYANerds

VeganYANerds — Sun, 28 Apr 2013 00:59:31 +0000

I don’t know whether to finish this book! It’s not something I was considering reading until you added it to our schedule and I’m just over half way and I don’t have strong feelings about it either way! I might push on