By the Chapter and Review: The Reincarnationist by M.J. Rose

This is part of a By the Chapter Week Long Discussion with Marcia of the Printed Page.

I was about 150 pages from the end when I posted on Wednesday, and I have to say while the book kept me with it, I'm not so sure I was sold on the ending!

In any case, the story continued to progress to its wretched end, in all of Josh's lives! And I'm curious...do you think he'll have to come back again or was saving Gabriella like saving Sabina?

Also, how would you feel being involved with someone who spent half their time thinking about their lost love of several hundred years ago? Josh's explanation about how they both shared their feelings and didn't use each other was interesting.

And lastly, were you satisfied by the explanation that people who are reincarnated are like a glass shattering and parts of their essence come back? (Sorry that's rough--I don't have the book with me)

I'd love to know your final thoughts and share this good news! The TV series based on the Reincarnationist, Past Lives, has been picked up by Fox! I will definitely give this one a go!

By the Chapter: The Reincarnationist by MJ Rose

About the Book: THE REINCARNATIONIST is equal parts modern-day thriller, historical fiction and love story. With one foot in present-day Rome and New York and another in Rome some 1,600 years ago, my story is about two worlds consumed by the fires of intrigue and passion.

Photojournalist Josh Ryder survives a terrorist's bomb, only to be haunted by near hallucinatory memories of a past life in Rome as a pagan priest whose dangerous congress with Sabina, one of the Vestal Virgins, poses a transgression so serious the lovers will face a certain death if exposed. Scents of jasmine and sandalwood and images of furtive liaisons and violence descend on Josh at will, pulling him to an ancient yet strangely familiar Roman burial chamber harboring the remains of a woman clutching a wooden box.

A trail of present-day murders takes us deeper into a labyrinth at whose heart lies the enigma of a collection of ancient gems or memory stones whose origins trace back to both ancient Egypt and India. The stones' promise to "assist the wearer in reaching his next incarnation" sets the ancient and modern worlds on a collision course.

Today's Discussion: I'm about 150 pages from the end of the book and I have to say that while this book is a thriller and a really fast read, it has made me think about the concept of reincarnation quite a bit! I even brought it up with a few of my students to see what they think of it.

The thing is, I realized that I believe in Heaven for a reason! I would much rather believe in the possibility of an end to suffering as Amy of completion as me, and a place of peace and rest, than the idea of suffering through another life! The funny thing is, I think the book takes a Da Vinci Code like attitude to the Church...the Church fears reincarnation because than people can achieve nirvana on their own without the Church. But I think the Christian church truly has nothing to fear from the concept of reincarnation...there will always be people like me who believe that it sounds like a kind of hell!

Sorry for that aside! I am enjoying the book, because I am interested in learning about what happened to Julius and Sabina back in ancient Rome. But I feel sorry for Josh who is unable to fully enjoy his life in the present because he keeps experiencing things his past self experienced. He is overcome with lust for a woman who lived centuries ago! It's quite sad.

I am interested to see how things unfold for Josh, who Rachel is in relation to him, and what will happen to them all.

For those reading along...how are you feeling about the book so far?

By the Chapter Wrap-up Mrs. Perfect by Jane Porter

I really had such a blast reading this book throughout the week and chatting with Marcia and all of you. I think Mrs. Perfect makes quite a good discussion novel even if I am not very much like Taylor on the surface!

I was pretty pleased with this book up until the ending. It's not that the ending was bad necessarily, it was just a bit too tidy for me. I don't want to give anything away for those of you haven't read it, so I'm not sure what to say!

One of the smaller aspects of the book I thought was interesting was how Taylor had been an enthusiastic born again Christian in her teen years. I loved the part when she discovered her Christian music in the attic...all the vintage stuff! And I really like that even though she had personally moved away from that in her life, she recognized the freedom that it had brought her during that time in her life. Sometimes Christians are portrayed as being narrow-minded, cruel, stupid, and legalistic in books. I suppose I am especially sensitive to it, because I am one. So it was nice to read in a book a character who "got it" and still respected it even if it wasn't her current way of life. Admittedly, when it was first brought up, I cringed just waiting for the mocking to start. But that never happened. So, um, thank you Jane Porter!

Reading that attitude of the wealthy was in many ways interesting as well. When they are forced to move, they act like it's a really huge deal. But part of me was put off by that because some people would be just so thrilled to have any house to live in! I guess it's always hard to downgrade.

Overall, I enjoyed reading Taylor's story. I could so often feel her pain and sympathize with her struggles. I'll wrap this up with one of my favorite quotes from the book:
"It hits me how hard this thing called life is and how ridiculous it is to make it any harder than it has to be."

So true. Thanks everyone! Please share your final thoughts in the comments! And many thanks to Marcia for all her work in coordinating By the Chapter!

By the Chapter: Day 4 Mrs. Perfect by Jane Porter

I'm participating in By the Chapter on Jane Porter's Mrs. Perfect this week, with Marcia from the Printed Page.

I have only been able to read a few more chapters since I last hosted, which was enough time for Taylor to hit even more of a rock bottom...but also start to take things into her own hands.

I have to say, I really like the way the book club pick mirrored what was going on in so many people's lives. But it was really sad for me to read how these women had a hard time sharing their struggles with each other. What is the point of friendship if you can't talk about your hardships? I'm not saying it's easy...I think it is in fact very hard to share in the areas where we've failed. We as women and humans are so afraid to be less than perfect, which is of course the theme of this book! I know that sometimes we get to caught up in comparing ourselves to others, but I do think that I actually admire the people who are willing to be vulnerable about what is going on in their lives.

Do you have a hard time sharing about your weaknesses or hardships with others?

I also like that Taylor is swallowing her pride a bit for the sake of her family and finally getting wise to just how bad things are. I think is important character development, and will give her more a sense of self and self-confidence than all her previous striving did.

Your thoughts?

By the Chapter Day 2: Mrs. Perfect by Jane Porter

I'm participating in By the Chapter with Marcia of the Printed Page this week and we are discussing Mrs. Perfect. Read the Day 1 discussion here.

About the Book: As a young California girl growing up in a blue collar neighborhood, Taylor Young dreamed of being popular, beautiful, and acquiring a wardrobe to die for. Not to mention marrying a handsome, successful man and living happily ever after in a gorgeous house with three wonderful children. Now, at 36, Taylor has reached the pinnacle of her dreams, but is it all about to unravel? As the new school year approaches, Taylor prepares herself for playing the perfect alpha mom: organizing class activities, fund-raising, and chairing the school auction. But the horror! Her archrival, bohemian mom Marta Zinsser, is named Head Room Mom of Taylor's daughter's fifth grade class. As tensions rise at committee meetings and school activities, the two rivals seem to be destined for a final confrontation. But as Taylor plans her next move, she is floored by a more serious blow at home-her husband has been secretly unemployed for the past six months. With her posh lifestyle crumbling, Taylor struggles to maintain her alpha image-but could Marta, who cares little about appearances, be her only true friend?

My Thoughts So Far: I'm up through chapter 12 and finding it very hard to put this book down! But my thoughts on the book so far.

When I started reading the book, I thought I couldn't relate to Taylor at all. I'm not perfect. I felt stressed out in just the ways she tried to be perfect. But appearances can be deceiving and there are some things we have in common. Like spending money to feel better. Eating to feel better. Never feeling good enough. Pretty universal themes, even if I don't live in a rich area of Washington, am single, and don't have kids!

I really love just how human Jane Porter makes her characters....flawed but still likeable enough to root for. I have to admit I was shocked by the way Nathan handled the finances and that it took so long for Taylor to realize she should be upset by how long he'd been lying to her! Also, he said some really hurtful things to her, and she just seems rather okay with that. Is that part of marriage or part of her low self-esteem? Maybe there's some better reconciliation later in the book!

Anyway, I'm at the point in the book where they've just made a huge decision and it's kind of heartbreaking, even though part of me wants to scream "starving children in Ethiopia!!" Even though I'm not guilty of spending on the level they have, I am certainly guilty of not doing everything in my power to help starving children in Ethiopia so I really can't judge.

I love this book so far! Have you read it? How do you feel about Taylor? Do you relate to her? And for a totally off the wall question have any of you read any of Jane Porter's Harlequins? I kind of want to, just because I love her chick lit so much! Tomorrow, Marcia is hosting, but the discussion comes back here on Thursday see you then!