GDT Book Club: The Lost Apothecary

[peacemama]

Welcome!

For those new to the GDT Book Club, we're happy to have you join us. Monday through Friday this week I'll post a daily discussion question to help guide the conversation, but feel free to diverge on related tangents. We heavily use the comment feature to reply to individual posts.

Although the facilitated discussion will wrap up on Friday, latecomers are always invited to post later. 

The Lost Apothecary is the last of our most recent round of book club selections. Please feel free to join the nomination and voting process for the next round of books -- the thread will be posted on the main General board soon after the Apothecary discussion wraps up.

[peacemama]

Monday

Let's start with the cover art.

Before even cracking open The Lost Apothecary, what expectations did you have? Did the book live up to them?

How heavily does the cover design play a role in the books you select?

If you're interested in discovering how The Lost Apothecary cover came to be, here's a link to a video of Sarah Penner sharing A Sneak Peek Into the Life of a Book Cover.

[Deleted]

Hello, everyone. I’ve been missing bookclub. I retired in 2019 and participated in an IRL book club for a short time before Covid. Shortly after vaccines, I started to search for another IRL club. Of course, with vaccine efficacy issues and Omicron variant, everyone is staying home again. Although, I pretty much lost my connection to this board, I remembered the bookclub. Happy that you were just diving into a new book so I could participate.

Re: the cover, I read on Kindle and had to purposely go and look at the cover because I paid absolutely no attention to it. I’ll listen to the link you posted later, as I’m in bed and DH is sound asleep. The cover seems to capture the essence of the book very well with the vial. Although, it doesn’t seem to suggest the dark purpose the vial was used for.

My initial thoughts, prior to reading, were that I don’t, generally, immerse myself in stories about the occult. I wasn’t sure how, or if, this book would go to a dark occult place. I decided to dive in and give it a try. I do read lots of true crime so was pleased that this book was more about crime and less about “black magick”.

A question. It seems like when I used to post here, in order to see/use post comments, I had to access proboards through an app. I can’t remember what that app is. Do I need it? Thanks.

[bernelli]

Since I started reading 99% on my Kindle (thanks to my failing close up eyesight), I haven't paid attention to covers.

I tend to look at friends ratings on Goodreads, authors I like, this bookclub, new releases.
When I do go to a bookstore, I like to look on the new releases shelves and take pics of the books I think I want to read... the cover art does draw my attention then, but the art doesn't make the choice for me, the description/content does.

I had no idea what to expect from this story going in. Basically, I blindly accept & read the GDT bookclub choices.

[bumblebuzz21]

Happy Book Club Week! Cover art doesn't really play much of a role in the books I choose. I'm with Bernelli, most of my books come from goodreads, friends and book club choices.

[ccToast]

Jan 17, 2022 8:13:06 GMT -5 bernelli said:

Basically, I blindly accept & read the GDT bookclub choices.

I do this with GDT bookclub fiction choices.

I would not have chosen this book on my own based on the cover, but I enjoyed it and am glad that it was a GDT book.

[Deleted]

Having listened to the video, I think the removal of the scales of justice was a mistake.

Cover design doesn’t really factor in to my book selections. However, I do think that “justice” was a huge part of Nella’s motivation. And, if I were “book browsing”, the scales might have played a factor in convincing me that the book would not be to “occult-ish” for my reading preference.

[fitin14]

I found the cover art to be a non factor in choosing this book. I downloaded from Libby but did go to see about buying it and the cover would not have enticed me.  see above comment about 'never buy a book by its cover' not really always being applicable to me. it will often make me pick up a book, thus reading the synopsis and buying it.

GDT bookclub has pushed me to read things I might not have before which is half the fun! 

[ermabom]

I have only paid attention to a cover if it is very gruesome. I also tried to help my SIL pick a cover for a book - she translates from my mother tongue into English and vice versa - and I failed miserably. She didn't like my choices and neither did the editor ツ

I pick books based on author interviews, GDT book club picks, new releases from my favorite authors or something I might have read. Then I tend to read a plot summary in a review or on Goodreads to see if I'll like the book. I am rather picky about the books I read because I no longer want to read anything that will depress or sadden me. In fact, I will often read the ending of a book shortly after starting it and if it ends in a tragic or sad way for characters I am starting to like, I stop reading. I ready for enjoyment and education (I read a lot of non-fiction) and I don't want to be saddened by my entertainment.

I rarely buy paper books any more if I can help it.

[zoomingzebra]

I hadn’t even looked at the cover since I read it on my Kindle. I suppose if I’m browsing a bookstore, covers can attract me to a book. But, as someone else said, these days I mostly read from recommendations so the cover doesn’t factor in.

I did go look at the cover, and it’s prettiness doesn’t really hint to what is inside. I’ll have to listen to your link.

[gemster]

I’m another Kindle reader who had to go back and look at the cover my kindle tends to just jump to first page when I open a book so I never notice covers. This one is very pretty though, think they did a good job & it doesn’t look occultish to me - just kind of what you’d expect for a book about an apothecary. I think the scales would have been a nice touch but not sure how many people would have noticed them.

I pick my books based on authors I’ve read before, subjects I’m interested in (especially for nonfiction) and GDT bookclub plus general recommendations on the board - I think it was a ‘what are you reading’ thread that led me to Addie La Rue.

[honeybzzzs]

The only time a cover sways me is when the AUTHORS name is the biggest lettering on the cover. Then I am NOT interested!

I tend to lean towards titles of books rather then their cover art.
And I prefer books that are factual. For instances, when we read the Trees book, or the Rats book, or the Molasses book. I like to read facts, so I’m rarely in the fiction section of the book store.

However, the GDT does get me out to read new things and I appreciate that. I did like this book and enjoyed her writing style.

[Viognier]

I have the harcover version on the table beside me and I had to turn it over to remember the cover artwork. I had noticed the beetle on the back, but not until after I read the whole book.

If this were a wine bottle, I would have paid more attention to the art on the label. I will frequently choose a wine by the label, but a book is usually chosen by title, then author, unless it's for GDT bookclub. Then I'll pick it up if the bookstore has it in stock.

[sal]

If I'm in a bookstore, I'll gravitate towards things based on covers, and then read the blurb. But the cover will often get me to pick it up in the first place.

This one? Yeah, the cover would have gotten me to pick it up. Even if I hadn't noticed "apothecary" in screaming huge letters (I am a pharmacy professor and teach both compounding and history of pharmacy so this is SO my area of interest).

[moosishun]

I read it on loan from the library and took the plunge because of you people. I'm with whoever said that when browsing books, the cover does take on more importance. I liked this cover just fine once I took a look at it. Covers with heavily breasted women popping out of their attire gets it right back on the shelf. However, I have been taken in by books by the cover and have usually convinced myself that I like them....

I remember the cover for All The Light We cannot See and I absolutely was taken in by that book from cover onward. I was taken with In the Garden of Beasts before it got picked for the cover. As I am looking over our past 6 reads, I really liked the cover of Ordinary Grace (I must just really like natural scenes), and now that I have read it, Addie was really quite clever for its cover. I would have picked up Rose Code and now that I look at it again, it is also very clever. Exercised is kind of meh, as well as The Marauders. Station 11 is curious to me because I don't remember the significance of that picture.

I will look closer into the cover art in the next books!!

[juliajones54]

The title of a book, the summary on the inside cover and the first paragraph influence my impression, not the cover art. I also usually look at Goodreads ratings.

[moosishun]

Can I tell you that if I wrote a book, the last thing on my mind would be to make those subtle changes to the 1st picture she showed us in the video. I get that the dragonfly didn't make the cut, but I am a little disappointed that the BEAR is not there.

Or is it???

I love that the artistic team came up with the lost bottle and not that scene of the little shabby store (in my mind, the place was shabby even during the time period.

[peacemama]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts about cover art. Interesting how much time the publisher's creative team spent on something that doesn't seem to have a significant impact with ebook readers and audio book listeners.

Cover art heavily influences the books I consider. Perhaps it's my visual arts background (I'm a K-12 arts specialist; until June when I'll join the ranks of retirees like @fairazzbueller).

The Lost Apothecary cover is simply stunning. Based on the cover alone, I was expecting a bit of fantasy, whimsy, and beautifully crafted writing. The synopsis gave a glimpse about the dark elements that awaited on the pages, but I didn't see that clearly reflected in the cover art.

I agree, moosishun, the vial needed a bear added.

For the longest time I kept thinking the title was The Last Apothecary. It wasn't until Caroline referred to the lost apothecary about 1/3 way through the book that I noticed my error.

[honeybzzzs]

OMG!!!! I totally forgot about Woman in White, and I volunteered to lead the discussion!
It’s been a tough few weeks with snow, electric out, not able to get home, torrential rain, sleeping at my business, and now trees on my house! What next???

If we can push the date back a bit that would help.
If not, I better start speed reading!!!

[peacemama]

Tuesday

Time to rate and review the book. On a five star scale, how many stars would you give it? Why?

If you're curious, the spoiler has The Lost Apothecary's star rating distribution from Goodreads.

SPOILER: Click to show

***** 23%
**** 40%
*** 27%
** 7%
* 1%

[moosishun]

I'm not going to look at the spoiler until after this day's discussion!! Ha!

I'm giving it 4 stars. I liked it a lot and I was compelled to read it in a couple of days. There are some things that were just a little off to me:

1. There is no way that the main character sounded like an American to me. She came across to me as British because of her descriptions of things and also her spoken dialogue. There wasn't enough slang!! Ha! In fact, I was surprised in the video that the author is American. But as I say that, I have a very well-spoken and mannered bestie from high school and she honestly is an anomaly in my circle of friends. She married a Brit and loves her afternoon tea!!! Ha!

2. I thought the ending was way too soon and that there was such an onion to peel with those 2 women coming up to Caroline in the end. WHAT A GREAT STORY THAT WOULD HAVE BEGUN. As it was, she threw away that choice and I almost threw the book across the room because of it. In fact, at the end I shouted "WHAT?? That's the END?

At the same time, I did like Caroline's character and how she dealt with her husband. I thought the gaslighting was pretty realistic, not like Addie and Luc, which I really did not like at all. I liked all the goings on with each discovery and the story plot line with these men in power getting their come-uppance. I wonder about women back then and how the ones who looked like they had it all on the surface had less than all in reality. I loved Elise (I can't believe I remembered her name) and what a smart, delightful and think-on-her-feet girl she was! And I really liked the poison princess (and I do not remember her name at all).

So there, 4 for me. I'd give Addie a 3.5 even though I devoured that story and could not in any way put it down once I got hold of it.

[bumblebuzz21]

I gave it 3 stars. I liked it enough and it kept my attention all the way through but I wouldn't say I REALLY LIKED IT (which is 4 stars for me) or LOVED IT (5). I tend to be oddly stingy with my stars though. Going back to yesterday's question, even though I don't pick books based off of their cover I will say that I expected to like this one more based off of the cover.

[bernelli]

I posted my Goodreads review, and initially gave the book 2 stars because of the current-day story and all the things about it that just downright pissed me off....
- the main issue being that the husband intentionally swallowed something poisonous/toxic to "get her attention" or to manipulate her feelings. That's total bullshit. I didn't buy that for a second (and, people, I just bought a weighted hula hoop I saw on TikTok...I am an EASY sell). I'm so mad that the author thought we'd buy that BS. I mean. Seriously. Us readers have brains.
- Also, her immediate acceptance into Cambridge after being out of college for 5-8 yrs? I can suspend belief plenty, but that was too big of an assumption/leap
- Caroline solved a 200+ year old mystery within just a few days of her visit to the UK. Again I wave my Bullshit sign.

BUT then I kept thinking about how much I did love the 1700's characters and the apothecary's story...so I went back and upped my rating to a 3 based on the olde medicine shoppe story.

[honeybzzzs]

I give it 4 stars.
I was a bit apprehensive about starting it because, like Addie LaRue, it was set in the 1700’s and present day, it jumped back and forth, and it also took place in Europe and United States. I wasn’t a fan of Addie LaRue. I wasn’t looking forward to a repeat of that.

To my pleasant surprise, I really enjoyed this book. The writing was MUCH better. The story moved along nicely. The transition from past times to modern times flowed nicely. It held my attention throughout.

[ermabom]

I enjoyed the book but it wasn't a favorite. I'd give it 3 stars

I thought the plot line was very unrealistic and bernelli has described some of the things that seemed 'off' to me.

1. The whole idea of the apothecary turning to poisoning men because of the one guy - given her mother's work and her own training since childhood
2. Caroline's solving the mystery in a few days - with hardly any help
3. The acceptance to Cambridge and how neatly everything was sewn up so quickly
4. Caroline's finding the shop almost untouched. I find that quite inexplicable given how much land in London costs

However, it was an enjoyable read and I went through it quite fast unlike the Rose Code which had me forcing myself to read on at certain points. I liked all the women characters and it was nice to get lost in that 1700s world for a while. I sort of liked the ending with a mystery - were the two women who we think they are? Did Eliza succeed in rescuing her friend and did they live happily ever after?