The Leftovers | 
A fascinating fictional imagining of a “post rapture” world. How do those left behind react to the grief, loss, and utter confusion? Among those left behind, which relationships survive? Which crumble? Great reading.
Another great #LiteraryCrew selection. @Librarybelle
Hey #LiteraryCrew ! It‘s time to discuss this month‘s book. I have 8 questions posted as spoilers; you can find them on my feed, the book‘s feed, or by searching the group‘s hashtag.
We conclude the year with Colm Toibin‘s Brooklyn. Official post tomorrow, and I hope to have the results from voting ready by then to also announce next year‘s titles!
mcctrish, mjdowens, melissajayne, Jerdencon, tpixie, LapReader, Cuilin, kspenmoll, PurpleyPumpkin, Prairiegirl_reading, Deblovestoread, Sace, CatLass007, Mollyanna, BookwormAHN, Pogue, dabbe, Sargar114, Karisa, bumpinthenight, Singout, julieclair, AllDebooks, IriDas, Lkempf8. The Leftovers was made into a series on HBO in the mid-2010s. Have you seen it? If so, what are your thoughts on it? How does it compare to the novel?
IMDB link to the series information: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2699128/
#LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead
7. This is a deep novel that explores ideas of faith/spirituality, grief/loss, and moving forward, among other themes. Perrotta participated in an interview where he discussed these themes in part; the book itself was written after his father passed away.
Link to interview: https://theabsolutemag.com/14442/books/novelist-tom-perrotta-on-the-leftovers-an...
#LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead
6. Discuss the ending of the book. What do you think happens to the main characters after the book is over? ~from Book Movement discussion guide #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead
5. How would you describe the relationship between Laurie and Meg? Did you find what happens to them believable? What about the relationship between Kevin and Nora? ~from Book Movement discussion guide #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead
4. Why do you think Laurie Garvey joins the Guilty Remnant? Once there, why do you think she stays? What sort of benefits might a cult-like community offer to people reeling from an event like the Sudden Departure? What about the Healing Hug Movement led by Holy Wayne? ~from Book Movement discussion guide #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead
3. Jill Garvey thinks it‘s easy “to romanticize the missing, to pretend that they were better than they really were.” Is this true? How do the main characters in The Leftovers view their friends and relatives who have disappeared? ~from Book Movement discussion guide #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead
2. The Leftovers is set in an idyllic American suburbia—with adult softball teams, a strong school system, and beautiful leafy neighborhoods. Why do you think the author set this novel –and his other novels--in such a place? Is there something especially pleasant or idyllic about the suburbs? Or is that just a myth? ~from Book Movement discussion guide #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead
1. om Perrotta‘s The Leftovers focuses on life after a mysterious mass disappearance that may or may not have been the Rapture. How do the various characters feel about being “left behind?” Which character's view of the Sudden Departure makes most sense to you? ~from Book Movement discussion questions #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead
pick4.5/5⭐️ (between very good and excellent)
I am glad I was impulsive and decided to read this. Once I started I couldn‘t stop. I am not really bothered by the lack of an ending. It seems to me that‘s what every character in the book is dealing with.
I‘m looking forward to the #LiteraryCrew discussion. @Librarybelle
#LibraryHaul. I went in for the tagged book and left with a few more. I doubt I will finish the Leftovers in time for the #LiteraryCrew discussion but I will enjoy reading the comments when I do finish.
@Librarybelle
pickThe rapture was (and still is a little) a terrifying concept to me especially when I was younger so starting this was quite unsettling. But once I got over that, I was really interested in the human response in this scenario. I loved following the different people and can see how this would transition really well to the screen. It makes me want to watch the show given the way the ending was. Read for #literarycrew
We‘re about halfway through the month, #LiteraryCrew ! Any thoughts on the book so far?
As for 2026 voting, my goal is to open voting on Saturday, with voting running from Nov 15-29. I‘ll unveil the 2026 selections by Dec 1st.
mcctrish, mjdowens, melissajayne, Jerdencon, tpixie, LapReader, Cuilin, kspenmoll, PurpleyPumpkin, Prairiegirl_reading, Deblovestoread, Sace, CatLass007, Mollyanna, BookwormAHN, Pogue, dabbe, Sargar114, Karisa, bumpinthenight, Singout, Sparklemn, julieclair, AllDebooks, IriDas, Lkempf
November's #LiteraryCrew selection is a tad different than previous reads, so it adds a change of pace to our #BuddyRead. Discussion on November 30th.
Read at your own pace. I'll post periodic check-ins throughout the month (unless the month really slips by me).
All are welcome to join us! Please let me know if you wish to be added/removed from the tag list.
VIA @LIBRARYBELLE
November‘s #LiteraryCrew selection is a tad different than previous reads, so it adds a change of pace to our #BuddyRead . Discussion on November 30th.
Read at your own pace. I‘ll post periodic check-ins throughout the month (unless the month really slips by me). All are welcome to join us! Please let me know if you wish to be added/removed from the tag list.
mcctrish, mjdowens, melissajayne, Jerdencon, tpixie, LapReader, Cuilin, kspenmoll, PurpleyPumpkin, Prairiegirl_reading, Deblovestoread, Sace, CatLass007, Mollyanna, BookwormAHN, Pogue, dabbe, Sargar114, Karisa, bumpinthenight, Singout, julieclair, AllDebooks, IriDas, Lkempf
pickI loved this HBO series back in 2017. Now going back and reading the book it was based on, I can say this is another rare example where the show was better. The book had the same main concept—on October 14th millions of people around the world spontaneously disappear at the same time—but the book just kind of ends with no real resolution. Among many other changes, the show provided a lot more character growth and something resembling an ending.
Loving this. Not sure where it‘s going, if anywhere.
pan⭐️⭐️ I thought I was liking this book at the beginning. But after 200 pages I saw this book going nowhere. I was so bored the last stretch of the book. I kept expecting something to happen. I was hoping for a little more supernatural plots but it was really just a book about life after a loss. It just wasn‘t for me. This was my #bookspinbingo September No. 20 pick.
I‘m officially done summer term classes! I now have a month off before fall term classes start. Celebrating by finishing this and hopefully setting up my new computer when it arrives today 🥳
so-soI didn‘t see the series. I loved Little Children, but halfway through this one, I felt it unraveled with a too-tidy ending. I‘m also wondering if I would‘ve experienced this book differently before the pandemic...
In this book the rapture is called the 'sudden departure'.
#rapture #StarTrekSummerJune
@Megabooks
#weekendreads @rachelsbrittain 1. Becoming, The Witch Elm and Leadership in Turbulent Times 2. Tagged. I loved the book but the HBO show The Leftovers brought it to another level. Crazy how much better adaptations have gotten in recent years. 3. GR
The #HBO series based on this book has become so bizarre after season one.
pickThis was perfect for me. I don‘t know why I didn‘t pick it up sooner! I listened rather passively which I thought was fine because of the fragmented writing style & I plan on rereading anyway. All the people described loosely relate (and some are followed up with) but mostly the chapters seamlessly switch characters, analyzing how people carry on after the not-Rapture. Tom Perrotta has SKILL. I LOVED how he wrote this and can‘t wait for more.
After reading the book for #lmpbc #grouph, I decided to watch the show!
@mariaku21 @Jerdencon @Blaire
Oh, and I got the book yesterday, @Jerdencon !!
My first Funkos. However, all of my Funkos are new. These were not even on my radar before Litsy. Thanks again! It‘s only been, what, two months?! I now have these, the Westworld set, and a Weeping Angel. They are like creepy pop culture Precious Moments figures.
Got hooked on the show before I knew it was a book. I thought it was brilliant. Still have not read the book.
#ReadingResolutions | 18: #BookishFunkos
📷: Made with PhotoGrid & iPhone
I said #HelloGoodbye very quickly to these three books, also known as “I bailed”. I‘m usually pretty bad at bailing, but these did nothing for me at all..
#HeyJune
He'd seen this process before: It didn't matter what happened in the world - genocidal wars, natural disasters, unspeakable crimes, mass disappearances, whatever - eventually people got tired of brooding about it.
Finally started reading The Leftovers. I was a bit reluctant to start this because I was afraid it wouldn't be as good as the tv series (I know it's usually the other way around 😅). But so far I'm really enjoying it.
#Thehoneymoonisover for me and this book. I‘m 114 pages in, and not really connecting or caring about anything or anyone in it. Does it get better?? I‘m really considering bailing, or maybe just putting it down for now.
The flowers are from yesterday which were our 6 year anniversary ❤️❤️
#MarchintoOz #CurrentlyReading
so-soThis was recommended to me, it was fine. Not “The Best Book I Read All Year,” but a good enough vacation read. An interesting look at how grief affects us all in different ways.
pickI enjoyed this book. It was episodic, yet still compelling. I felt the tone fit the story.
It's #TopTenTuesday time! Books I once wanted to read but probably won't make time for now.
pickHmmm, I liked this book but I didn't love it as much as I was expecting to. The concept, that "Left Behind" type storyline minus the overtly Christian message, really spoke to me. But it never sucked me in all the way. Don't get me wrong, Perrotta's writing is as compelling as ever, these characters just never completely clicked for me. Still more a pick than so-so and I can see how it would translate well to TV so I'll def check that out!
Got some #bookoutlet #bookmail at work today! It's been very distracting all day because I'd much rather be reading than working (obviously 😂).
So after reading and loving Mrs. Fletcher, my first Tom Perrotta, I thought I'd just "check and see" if there were any of his other books on #bookoutlet ?
pickI absolutely loved this book. I get to meet Tom Perrotta at the Tucson Book Festival and I cannot wait after reading this excellent book!! It was great on audio, too. An absolutely fascinating story, beautiful and complex characters and such an interesting plot. I stared watching the HBO show too and it is also excellent. Can‘t wait to read more of his books! #tfob2018
I finally picked this up from the post office - thanks Jen! 💜👏
#bookmail
One more day of work before Christmas break that means one more day before I can sit around with my book & a hot beverage of my choice all day. I can do it...maybe?!
After a day of baking (roughly 36 dozen Christmas cookies or treats) & housework it feels good to kick of my shoes & curl up with my book.
so-soThe premise of this book was intriguing. It just felt a little flat. I didn't feel particularly interested in any of the characters. This book should have been right up my alley, but it just seemed like something was missing.
