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Discussion is open for the March group read - Where'd You Go, Bernadette. Your discussion leader is Jenny!

Please use spoiler tags if you are sharing any plot related surprises.

Posts should be exclusively about this book.

When you've finished, be sure to post in the "March Challenge: I Finished!" thread.

Hello everyone! I'm so happy this book won for March :) What are you expectations for this read? I myself am excited to finally read it!

Jenny wrote: "Hello everyone! I'm so happy this book won for March :) What are you expectations for this read? I myself am excited to finally read it!"

I agree. I'm excited about this one. I remember years ago one of my favorite authors recommended it, but it was brand new at the time and really expensive, so I put it on the back burner and forgot about it until I started the challenge. I kept checking the library and wasn't able to find it, but wanted to wait until closer to March to ask them to order it. I went in two days ago to order it, and it was sitting on the shelf like it was waiting for me.

I actually read this book in January because it was available when all of my other holds weren't. I thought it was a fine read that was very Kinsella-esque. I do remember being a little confused in the end but I am excited for the overall discussion. I did listen to this book as opposed to reading a hard copy.

I have no idea what this book is about, but I'm excited to read it anyway. My library hold should be in soon. I thought the movie was being released soon, but apparently it has been pushed back until August.

I'm going into this book with really no knowledge about it aside from seeing a few people recommend it for the challenge. I just picked up my library copy yesterday, so hoping to dig into it soon!

I didn't even realize my ebook holds came in for this. I'm going to start it tomorrow. I have no idea what it's about.

Mary wrote: "Jenny wrote: "Hello everyone! I'm so happy this book won for March :) What are you expectations for this read? I myself am excited to finally read it!"

I agree. I'm excited about this one. I remem..."

I love it when things work out like this!

Like most of you, I also don't know what its really about. I love to go into books sometimes with very little knowledge. I just know a lot of my friends liked it!

Jenny wrote: "Hello everyone! I'm so happy this book won for March :) What are you expectations for this read? I myself am excited to finally read it!"

*SPOILER ALERT*
Like just about every other poster so far, I didn't know much about this book coming into it, other than I knew a mother disappears and her daughter charges herself with finding her. So my expectations were minimal, until I found out Semple previously wrote for Arrested Development... then my expectations grew considerably. The humor didn't disappoint; it was the same kind of cause & effect, i-did-NOT-see-that-coming type of hilarity. Definitely had me laughing out loud at different parts, but as the book progressed and characters emerged along with their backstories I would say the humor definitely took a turn for the darker.
I feel like there was a skewed proportion to the plot/conclusion - we have the first half of the book leading up to the disappearance, the second half leading up to the finding, and the 1.5 page interaction with Bee and Bernadette followed by Bernadette's lost letter. I know this was supposed to answer all the questions, but I was left feeling a little shortchanged. Did Soo-Lin have that freaking baby? Was Bernadette/Bee just totally fine with that and they just carry on with their happy lives? Elgin quit Microsoft, but Bernadette's letter implies stability based on him still holding his job (we'll sell the house for a dollar to Galer Street and move??). Did Bernadette build the station? Did she resume her career? What happened to Audrey? So. Many. Questions.

Am I alone in this??

Chelsea wrote: "Jenny wrote: "Hello everyone! I'm so happy this book won for March :) What are you expectations for this read? I myself am excited to finally read it!"

*SPOILER ALERT*
Like just about every other ..."

Your questions made me chuckle! Honestly, I was so 'not invested' by the book's end I admit I didn't really care...

I got my hold on Thursday and am gonna start it when I get done with Us Against You. I'm excited because itll give me even more reason to see a Cate Blanchett film.

Just a reminder to use spoiler tags. To do this, post this before your spoilers

< spoiler >

And then post this after the spoiler

< / spoiler >

But with no spaces

I just finished this. This isn’t my usual genre but it was SO good. I really enjoyed it!

I'm halfway through! The turn of events is so interesting.

So far I am enjoying the book! It would also fit in the category of a book with non-conventional chapter headings. I just read that it is being made into a movie.

I really am going into this book blind! I got it so I could participate in this month's discussion, but the book seems so popular, I'm excited to read it!

This book is so strange but I’ve loving it so far!

I had not heard anything about this book before I started it. I am not going to lie, I was not that excited to read it when I first started it. By then end of the book I could look back on it and see all of the silliness and humor. However the biggest thing I took away from this book was the need to make sure you are really communicating with your loved ones. Not just going through the motions.

Finished. I’m actually really excited for the movie now. The timeline got a bit convoluted for me in some places, particularly at the end and I agree with what someone above said, that the ending could use more closure. I feel like the movie will probably smooth out those rough bits and also that the humor will translate well to the screen. This book had lots of funny parts but never came close to eliciting a laugh out loud.

I'm so glad to see most of you are enjoying this book so far! I am as well. I just finished Part 1.

One of the biggest things I've noticed so far is the "multi media" form of writing. I've read a few books like this in the past ,and I've always loved them. I looked it up, and apparently is called an Epistolary Novel.

"An epistolary novel is a novel written as a series of documents. The usual form is letters, although diary entries, newspaper clippings and other documents are sometimes used. Recently, electronic "documents" such as recordings and radio, blogs, and e-mails have also come into use." --Wikipedia

The one that really sticks in my mind as having loved in the past is Last Days of Summer And of course the Illuminae trilogy. And here's a list I found on Book Riot of more of them if you like this kind of thing:

Where'd You Go Bernadette is on the list!

What do you think of this style of writing? How do you think the book might be different if the story was written more conventionally?

Jenny wrote: "I'm so glad to see most of you are enjoying this book so far! I am as well. I just finished Part 1.

One of the biggest things I've noticed so far is the "multi media" form of writing. I've read a..."

Like many others, I had no real expectations going in. I figured from the basic description and cover that it would be Chick-Lit which is not my go to but since I have been battling the flu, it was pretty much perfect for my reading capability this week.

I liked the format quite a bit and thought the mish-mash of information was a good way to keep the reader on their toes.

I do agree with Chelsea about the ending needing more closure though. (view spoiler)[ I kind of wish it had been a pregnancy scare, not an actual baby once it seemed obvious that the family was getting back together. Considering Elgie was very senior at MS, I have no problem imagining that he has made more than enough money to do just fine supporting both families even with donating the house. I also like to think he created a start-up and followed up on Bee's app idea that they discussed towards the end which could easily rake in millions of more dollars for the family. (hide spoiler)]

I also went into this book knowing very little. It came highly recommended, however, from a friend. I typically love books with interesting chapter formats or a different layout (like using multi media) but for some reason I just did not love this book. I did not find it laugh-out-loud funny like others have and struggled to connect to or like any of the characters. As someone raised in the Pacific Northwest, I found some of her observations about where she lives trite and cliche (the author lives in Seattle). As someone who now lives in the Midwest, I found the author's comment about Midwesterner's at the end completely off base. I'm left feeling a little underwhelmed with this one.

Chelsea wrote: "Jenny wrote: "Hello everyone! I'm so happy this book won for March :) What are you expectations for this read? I myself am excited to finally read it!"

*SPOILER ALERT*
Like just about every other ..."

You are not alone!! I had the same questions at the end. LOL

I already read this a few months ago and didn't really know what to expect. I mainly read it due to my 'around the world' challenge and this takes place in Antarctica so I could use it for both challenges.

I like the way it is written (epistolary - had no idea it was called that) had read a few others like this and sometimes it works other times it doesn't. It took me some time, I must admit, to figure out who exactly some of the characters were and how they fitted in to the story. It was a mixed feeling with the flow in the story due to this form of writing.

As I didn't have any expectations as such I had no idea what I was getting myself in to. I liked it but I wasn't overwhelmed with it. had some funny elements.

I'm a fan of epistolary novels and this is no exception. I've just finished Part 1 so have a long way to go, but I am enjoying the book so far. I find myself smiling and even chuckling at times because it is so crazy - I think Audrey is a hoot. And Bernadette is unexpected and amusing. And I just have to love little Bee. I'm enjoying the ride so far.

Anabell wrote: "I already read this a few months ago and didn't really know what to expect. I mainly read it due to my 'around the world' challenge and this takes place in Antarctica so I could use it for both cha..."

I didn't know it was called that either! I agree that it took a bit to understand where everything fit as well. I'm up to part 5 now, and there's a lot more back story given by this point, so its making more sense to me now.

Teri wrote: "I'm a fan of epistolary novels and this is no exception. I've just finished Part 1 so have a long way to go, but I am enjoying the book so far. I find myself smiling and even chuckling at times bec..."

I also adore Bee!

Actually, I'm going to pull a question straight from the back of the book:

The story is told from the point of view of a daughter trying to find her missing mother. Why do you think the author chose to tell the story from Bee's perspective? And what do you think of the bond between mother and daughter?

And to add to that, do you think the story works with this point of view, and what do you think of Bee?

I started this book as an audiobook and did not like it at all. The reader has a high almost-annoying voice, and sounded about 12 years old. I was not happy about reading another very juvenile YA so soon after To All the Boys I've Loved Before ... and I returned the book to Audible and almost gave up!

I had not even picked up on the fact it is an epistolary novel. The audiobook didn't work for me, and I wonder if that is the reason for some low ratings.

I did more research on the book at Amazon, and discovered it is an epistolary novel. I LOVE EPISTOLARY NOVELS. So I decided to give it another try and this time got the Kindle version.

Result: I love this book ...

I believe epistolary novels are much better in a printed version. You miss out on so much by listening to an audiobook rendition. I can only imagine it would be useful if you were going for the "immersion reading" you get on an Amazon Kindle Fire... where you read both the Kindle version and listen to the audiobook at the same time. (I do that sometimes, but didn't with this book.)

I read this book several years ago (I think it was pretty soon after it first came out) and I was bummed that I'd already read it when I saw this prompt, but since it got chosen as the group read I decided to go ahead and reread it. I'm a little more than a third of the way through and I'm so glad I did! I think the humor can shine through a lot more since I already know where the story is going; I'm not distracted trying to figure out how all the characters are going to end up fitting together and I can just enjoy the ride.

Bernadette's agoraphobia is also landing a lot more for me this time (when I first read it I remember thinking "she leaves her house, how is she agoraphobic?") As someone who also struggles with anxiety, I'm really relating to her and her conflicting desires to be present and supportive for her daughter and find more fulfillment in her own life, but also minimize any situations that are going to be triggering for her (i.e. most things where she has to interact with people outside her inner circle).

Linda wrote: "I started this book as an audiobook and did not like it at all. The reader has a high almost-annoying voice, and sounded about 12 years old. I was not happy about reading another very juvenile YA s..."

I'm so glad you found the format that works for you! I agree that sometimes an audiobook can completely wreck a book, but other times I've found it really complements or even is a better format. Interesting how that works!

I just started this book this week and I am loving it so far. So quirky and funny and relateable!! I didn't know what to expect when I started it so it is a huge relief that I am enjoying this so much thus far.

I think being told from Bee's perspective adds to this story in a positive way. She's smart, very smart, but she's still young. She still idolizes her parents, even her whacky mother and her hard-working, yet absent father. So being told from Bee's perspective adds this naivete quality to the story. Even though Mom does these outrageous or odd things, the daughter isn't as harsh about her as the father and other adults are. She sees a side of her mom that others don't see. It's sweet and endearing and makes Bernadette more sympathetic. Same for the father. She understands her father's work is important and seems to be proud of him.

I think Bee is the anchor to the whole story. Her reactions and loyalties will determine the direction of the story. I can't wait to finish this book. So good!

I read this book in two days. What a great book. I loved the unusual form of the book, with all the different sequences of communication/telling the story. The story itself was so crazy and unusual. Even though it was strange, it was like an adventure just to read it. You never knew what to expect.

I read this one because it was picked for the group read. When I posted on Instagram that I had gotten it in from the library, a good friend of mine said they loved it, so I was excited to start.

The only part about this book I really loved was the humor. I could definitely feel the Arrested Development vibes, and it was clear from how interesting her characters were that she was coming from a screenwriting background. I also found Bernadette to be a pretty interesting character on her own.

That being said, the book did feel very flat to me. I was not compelled to flip the pages, although the short length and simplistic writing style made it easy to get through. I wondered whether a part of it was that I don't like satire. I have not read any works in the genre that I can think of, but this is what the jacket labels the book as.

Altogether, I gave it 3 stars in my review.

I finished the book over the weekend - just couldn't put it down. I stayed up too late finishing which completely destroyed my plan to adjust to daylight saving time. So I'm back at work with a tired headache. Worth it.

This book amused me and I was happy to go along with all the craziness. I felt like it was a good choice to 1) be an epistolary novel and 2) have the rest of it told in Bee's voice. She was in a unique position to process the world and the people around her in an intelligent but childlike way that was endearing. And without her, the question in the title might never have been answered. These are characters I won't soon forget, and I'm looking forward to the movie.

I think the reason it is told from Bee's perspective is that it keeps the mystery until the end,(view spoiler)[ as she learns what has been going on through her packet. Also, she knew very little of her mother's previous life, and since she learned it through the documents, she got more of a straightforward perspective than she might have from her parents. (hide spoiler)]

The story also shows the unconditional love a child has for her mother- despite her flaws, and the flaws of the house she grew up in, she feels happy and loved.

I did like Bee. I think she got the best of both worlds growing up with a creative mother and a professional father. This whole story was a big growth and learning experience for her, and I left the book optimistic for her future.

I bought my copy from the used book sale in my area a few months ago and have been looking forward to reading it. I started it today. I am only 34 pages in and has others have already stated this is not a conventional chapter book. It is written mostly in emails and notes as far as I can tell.

It seems a bit confusing for me but what I have so far is (view spoiler)[ a wealthy family with a very smart daughter named, Bee well her real name is really Balakrishna, which her mom now regrets are planning a trip to Antarctica as a promise if Bee made straight As or in the case of her fancy private school straight Ss. There seem to be multiple emails from the mom (Bernadette) to a woman in India. It appears that she hired her to do all the work to get tickets, clothes, etc for the trip. There is also some notes/emails about blackberry bushes taking over Audrey's property and the original source of the problem is coming from Bernadette's property but she is antisocial and refers to people beneath her as gnats. I hope I am understanding this so far. I liked the suggestion of pigs to eat up the blackberries that was funny. I am interested to see where this book will go. (hide spoiler)]

I am now 64 pages in here are my thoughts:
(view spoiler)[ I am not connecting with any of the characters but that is okay because the plot is having some fun moments like the dog getting stuck in the closet, Bernadette having to park downtown, and the blackberry bush problem. Bernadette is obviously a little crazy and snobby and maybe a little mysterious. Bee seems like a fun, responsible, smart girl. Elgie is a work driven man but cares very much for his family and about his health and is a bit quirky. There are a lot of side characters but since I am not far in I am not sure how they all connect yet. (hide spoiler)]

Finished Part 1 Mom Vs. the Gnats (pg 98): (view spoiler)[ Here is where I stopped to listen to Abbey Road for obvious reasons. But now the story is really rolling with a literal mudslide. Poor Bernadette! Now I am starting to feel sorry for her- miscarriages and relocation and thoughts of ODing! We find out more about Bernadette's past from a letter her husband is sending to a shrink. I am enjoying this story very much. I wish I could have been like Bee- she is so smart and stands up for herself and her mom. She is aware with only a touch of naivete because of her years. (hide spoiler)]

Larissa wrote: "Finished Part 1 Mom Vs. the Gnats (pg 98): [spoilers removed]"

This is exactly how I felt at this point in the book. Its starts off so funny, but it takes a bit of a sad turn here,which I wasn't expecting. I liked the author keeping me on my toes!

So I was in the library today, returning a book. I wasn't supposed to be taking anything out, but I ended up looking at the shelves. And this book was sitting there. So I think I'll give it a shot!

I finished this one and overall I liked it, but wasn't wowed. I can see this translating well to a movie, so definitely would want to see it when it comes out, though I'd most likely wait for the DVD.

I agree with what others have said about the ending somewhat lacking in closure. I do wonder to some extent if some things aren't really addressed because Bee is the one telling/assembling the story and she is giving some wrap up to what she truly cares about (view spoiler)[her mother's return and that her mother wanted to consult with her when she sent the letter so that gets included in the ending, while she somewhat shrugs off her father's new baby and we're left feeling like that was a loose end? (hide spoiler)].

I do think it was good to get the perspective of Bee who is somewhat outside of what is going on, though still an insider.

I LOVED this book. It was such a strange format I thought it may be difficult to follow or it wouldn’t be something you completely fall into. But this book completely took over my world. I feel like it was so great at showing the complexity of human beings. We often, as a society, judge people much too quickly on very little information. I feel like this dove into the intricacies of the human mind and heart. I am so happy this was suggested as the group read. It is now one of my favourite books.

So I finished the book last weekend. I originally really liked the manic feel of the book but it became exhausting by the end and I was just ready for it to be done. I really liked both Bernadette and Bee and not really anyone else in the book. Glad I read it and will probably see how it translates to the screen but I’m glad I’m done reading it.

Sarah wrote: "So I was in the library today, returning a book. I wasn't supposed to be taking anything out, but I ended up looking at the shelves. And this book was sitting there. So I think I'll give it a shot!"

Sweet! I love it when that happens :)

I finished the book early in the week! I rated it 4 stars. I did really enjoy it, and I read the last part of it in a mad rush to see what was going to happen.

I have conflicted feelings on a lot of the characters, except for Bee, Bernadette, and Audrey. (view spoiler)[ I loved that little twist of Audrey turning into a "good guy." I was really not expecting that! (hide spoiler)]

I myself loved the format of the book. I generally love books that are a bit "outside the box." In this case, it was good for a slow reveal for the reader.

This entire disaster stems from a misunderstanding between neighbors. In my view, we aren't just following Bernadette's breakdown, we are also following Audrey's. It took me awhile into the book to realize that.

Which leads me up to my next question: How are Audrey Griffin and Bernadette Fox more alike than they realize?

Lisa wrote: "So I finished the book last weekend. I originally really liked the manic feel of the book but it became exhausting by the end and I was just ready for it to be done. I really liked both Bernadette ..."

I think I agree. I was kind of over the book when Bernadette disappeared. And, that's when it kind of slowed down for a bit with Bee going to boarding school. But, that's also when she started bugging me, and I was beginning to wonder if there would be any likeable characters in this book.

Julie wrote: "I LOVED this book. It was such a strange format I thought it may be difficult to follow or it wouldn’t be something you completely fall into. But this book completely took over my world. I feel lik..."

This is a good point. The reveal about Audrey was one of my favorite parts of the book!

Bernadette and Audrey alike? Yes in the fact they both make snap judgments and don't let go of those judgments.

AF wrote: "Bernadette and Audrey alike? Yes in the fact they both make snap judgments and don't let go of those judgments."

Very true. I've actually been paying attention to this more and more in my life. I have a few co-workers that are extremely judgmental, and I've noticed that sometimes their conversations just drain me. But then, I find myself joining in sometimes. I'm trying to be more mindful.