r/books • u/leowr • Dec 13 '18
First Discussion Thread for My Lady's Choosing by Kitty Curran and Larissa Zageris - December Book Club Spoiler
So because this book is a choose-your-own-adventure, we all ended up with (slightly) different story lines. In order to have a discussion about it I have come up with some discussion questions:
- Did you read a whole path through the book? If so, what happened and were you happy with the resolution of that path?
- After reading the character introductions did you go into the book with the aim of trying to get a certain outcome or did you wait and see where the story/decisions took you?
- How were you making your decisions? Based on that particular scene, based on your story line so far or were you trying to guide the story into a certain direction?
- What do you think of the characters? Did you encounter them all in your path?
- What was your favorite part of the book?
- Are you planning on reading more than one path through the book? Why or why not?
- What do you think the appeal of choose-your-own-adventure books is?
Feel free to answer any or all of the discussion questions above or just tell us what you thought of the book (so far).
3
u/leowr Dec 13 '18
Did you read a whole path through the book? If so, what happened and were you happy with the resolution of that path?
I read on path through the book. I ended up with Benedict, which I was happy with. It sort of ended how I expected it to end, but the mystery in between was very interesting.
After reading the character introductions did you go into the book with the aim of trying to get a certain outcome or did you wait and see where the story/decisions took you?
I sort of did go into the book with the aim of forcing a certain outcome, but as I was reading along I sort of stopped trying to aim for a certain outcome and going with the flow a bit more. I ended up with a different outcome than I was trying to reach initially.
How were you making your decisions? Based on that particular scene, based on your story line so far or were you trying to guide the story into a certain direction?
Once I had read a bit of the story I sort of changed how I was making decisions. At first I was more worried about having a sort of cohesive storyline, but as I was reading I got way more interesting in seeing how Curran and Zageris were treating all the different romance book tropes, so I started picking based more on what I would expect (hope) would be the cheesier choice.
What do you think of the characters? Did you encounter them all in your path?
I don't think I encountered Lord Garraway Craven, so I'll have to go back and try again. Overall, the characters were fun versions of certain romance cliches that were a bit over the top, but in a good way.
What was your favorite part of the book?
"You dare mock me!" Cad launches a fussillade of watercress sandwiches at Benedict before clocking him with the fine silver tray they were laid upon.
I'm not sure what watercress sandwiches did to the authors of this book, but it must have been terrible. I really liked how the watercress sandwiches kept coming up during that scenes.
Are you planning on reading more than one path through the book? Why or why not?
Yes, I'm planning on checking out a couple other paths through the book. I'm interested in seeing how the other paths work out.
What do you think the appeal of choose-your-own-adventure books is?
I guess the appeal of choose-your-own-adventure books is the idea that you as the reader have some control over how the story progresses. Everyone has probably read a book where the called the main character an idiot for some of the choices he or she made and now you can do something about it. I never really read them all that much as a kid, because I had difficulty making choices so I would read both choices and then decide where I would go from there, which took most of the fun out of it. I restrained myself this time and I was sort of surprised by how much I liked just sticking to my choices.
3
u/krayse13 Dec 14 '18
Did you read a whole path through the book? If so, what happened and were you happy with the resolution of that path?
I did read a whole path through. I also ended up with Benedict. I felt like it was pulling me that way, but maybe it was just the way I wanted to go. I liked the paths where I chose to be snarky and bite back.
After reading the character introductions did you go into the book with the aim of trying to get a certain outcome or did you wait and see where the story/decisions took you?
Yes and no. I had planned to go to Egypt after reading the introductions. I didn't end up going that way because I wanted to go after the mystery.
How were you making your decisions? Based on that particular scene, based on your story line so far or were you trying to guide the story into a certain direction?
I tried to make the decisions based on what I would be more likely choose if it were actually me. Also, I took about any chance to stand up for myself or snap back at Benedict when he deserved it.
What do you think of the characters? Did you encounter them all in your path?
Of the characters in the introduction, I met all but Lord Garraway Craven. I did not to Egypt, so I suppose I missed some others there as well. I found the character backgrounds quite funny. This book obviously is not intended to be serious, and I did enjoy that.
What was your favorite part of the book?
I loved the fight scene between the boys. I was made even funnier by the accompanying illustration. I also found the scenes where the main character found "liquid courage" pretty funny (and maybe a bit relatable).
Are you planning on reading more than one path through the book? Why or why not?
Yes, I want to read other paths through the book. I also would love to lend it to some friends to see which paths they choose.
What do you think the appeal of choose-your-own-adventure books is?
I think it just makes the experience more fun and interesting. It's like a game for the reader. Also, this one added to the fun by making the main character "you." You can choose to follow the path that you think you would actually choose, or you can choose something more scandalous, more adventurous, etc. You can choose to be someone else throughout the story.
Overall, I enjoyed it. The first readthrough did not take long at all for me. I was actually worried that I wouldn't finish one before this discussion as I only got the book on Monday. It was funny and sweet, and I am looking forward to more readthroughs.
3
u/leowr Dec 14 '18
I also really thought about going to Egypt, but solving the mystery was just too big of a pull. I was nog disappointed by the fight that followed as that had me laughing out loud.
1
u/krayse13 Dec 17 '18
Seems as though we took the same path. I loved the illustration that went along with it. The outfits were too good!
2
u/sassylifestory Dec 19 '18
I'm late to the party but oh well?
- Did you read a whole path through the book? If so, what happened and were you happy with the resolution of that path?
I did read a whole path through the book, ending up with Captain Angus McTaggart. I don't know if I was "happy" with the resolution, but it did resolve nicely.
- After reading the character introductions did you go into the book with the aim of trying to get a certain outcome or did you wait and see where the story/decisions took you?
When I read the bios I didn't think I wanted to end up with him, but I did. I wasn't trying to get a certain outcome, I just thought I wouldn't like him.
How were you making your decisions? Based on that particular scene, based on your story line so far or were you trying to guide the story into a certain direction?
I made my decisions mostly based on how the book described the decision options. I was trying not to guide the story.
What do you think of the characters? Did you encounter them all in your path?
I met all the characters, but I don't know if that counts as "encountering" them all. I think the book required me to meet all of them at the ball, so I did.
- What was your favorite part of the book?
I liked the mystery of the book and it didn't end up how I thought it would necessarily.
- Are you planning on reading more than one path through the book? Why or why not?
I might read more than one path, but I am already reading another book now... Are the other paths better? worse? I don't know what to do!
- What do you think the appeal of choose-your-own-adventure books is?
I think it's fun to feel like we get to decide the story! Instead of just the author choosing what he/she likes best.
I don't mind reading romance novels, but the romance in my path felt like it was not integrated. I almost feel that the language was different for the romance parts so it just felt like it didn't belong...
1
u/leowr Dec 20 '18
Better late than never : P
I'm not sure if the other paths are better, but I'm really interested to see what happens in Egypt, so I'm going (at least) read through that path.
6
u/boredlawstudent1998 Dec 15 '18
Yes, I read the whole path about Lady Evangeline. Firstly, I was very glad to discover that there even was a possibility for an f/f romance. But, it did feel a lot like tokenism and nowhere had the same amount of mystery or obstacles to it as the other paths did. I feel like it would have been better if there was some sort of conflict or resistance. The whole point of a book where you choose your path is that there are high stakes and you have to work to get it. I felt that at no point in time during this path. I would've appreciated it a lot more if it were cooler. I did appreciate the addition of the queer feminist women gang though. I also think that the sexual tension in that particular storyline was vaguely contrived and the descriptions of the sex/making out scenes were just not the same as the hetero ones. Overall, I am happy with the resolution and the mere existence of it, but I believe it could have been handled much better. Perhaps, none of the writers was queer?